Visa stamping appointment in New Delhi

[virginia_desi]

We are planning a trip to India and plan to get passport stamped during the visit. I can't find any appointment dates except for few days in January 2008. No dates are available for Feb, March, April or May. Does this mean no dates are available or does this mean that dates have not been opened by the consulate?
I will really appreciate any feedback on this.

[saketkapur]

I got a date yesterday for feb 6th.....check again I would say.

[nandini]

probably not opened yet.
Thats what i was told when i was checking in november for dec appointments.

[virginia_desi]

My visa expired in 2005. I had to select "No" as an answer to the option if applying for the same visa expired in less than 12 months. For this option there are no dates. If I select Yes, then I can see open dates for Feb.

[hearthorbeguy]

You are correct the whole freaking Feb is open for that scenario. What New Delhi consulate is not giving out H1 visa appointments to first timers??

[virginia_desi]

I called VFS last night. They haven't yet opened the dates for the second category. They expect to do this sometimes early next week. This whole process is really daunting. How can someone plan a vacation without getting an appointment. Then there is all the delay due to PIMS. I wonder if they want people to loose their jobs once you return for visa appointments.

[pnjbindia]

VIRGINIA_DESI,
I am in mcLean Virginia and also plan to New Delhi for H1 stamping(2nd renewal) and H4 stamping for wife (first time, first wife).
Have you heard from VFS or anyone in Delhi, that had a PIMS related delay in gettting their passport. I have heard from folks in Chennai and Kolkatta.. But Delhi US embassy seems to be precoessing visas w/o any dealy.. your thoughts?

[inder123]

Originally Posted by virginia_desi

I called VFS last night. They haven't yet opened the dates for the second category. They expect to do this sometimes early next week. This whole process is really daunting. How can someone plan a vacation without getting an appointment. Then there is all the delay due to PIMS. I wonder if they want people to loose their jobs once you return for visa appointments.

I had a very unpleasant experience when I was trying to schedule appointment for my wife and son in June 2007. My experience is that you need to keep on checking the dates say twice in a day till the time you get the date which suits you. They change so often.

[virginia_desi]

Originally Posted by inder123

I had a very unpleasant experience when I was trying to schedule appointment for my wife and son in June 2007. My experience is that you need to keep on checking the dates say twice in a day till the time you get the date which suits you. They change so often.

Was/Is your appointment in Delhi? Did you experience any delay due to PIMS?

[hearthorbeguy]

Originally Posted by virginia_desi

Was/Is your appointment in Delhi? Did you experience any delay due to PIMS?

I doubt if it would be because of PIMS, cause isn't PIMS started in Dec' 07. Correct me if I am wrong.

@Topic

I agree, I want to go in Feb but don't know when to buy the tickets as I don't know when the dates will open and if they will be available for first week of Feb. I am so confused.

[virginia_desi]

Originally Posted by hearthorbeguy

I doubt if it would be because of PIMS, cause isn't PIMS started in Dec' 07. Correct me if I am wrong.

@Topic

I agree, I want to go in Feb but don't know when to buy the tickets as I don't know when the dates will open and if they will be available for first week of Feb. I am so confused.

Sorry my bad. I read June 2007 as Jan 2008. Anyway as per VFS they should open early next week. I am in the same boat with travel agents calling us on a daily basis. I also completed on the online application last week that I will have to fill out again once the dates open.