H1B Stamping in Australia – Sydney, Melbourne (with PR)

Many people working in the USA are applying for Australia PR and are thinking of moving soon. The primary question that comes to mind is: Can I get an H1B visa stamping in Sydney or Melbourne with an Indian passport?

The answer is yes, you can apply for an H1B visa stamp with an Indian passport at any Australian US embassy including the visa stamp for H4 dependents visa in your family

Australia has US consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra.

You can apply for an H1B visa interview at any of the embassy closest to your location except Canberra. The U.S. Embassy in Canberra does not process visa applications.

Also, Immigrant visas like I-130 family sponsored applications are only processed by Sydney.

H1B Visa Stamp While Validating Australia PR

If you are going to Australia for PR validation, you can apply for an H1B visa for your return to the US.

If you are visiting Melbourne for tourism or family, you can get your H1B visa renewal and re-enter the US.

There is no explicit information about visa scheduling for third-country nationals on the US embassy website for Australia. So, we assume that there are no stringent residency requirements.

Many people on multiple immigration forums have reported earlier that they were able to get H1B, L works visa, or B1/B1 Visitor Visa easily.

Example:

Citizen of India currently in USA on an H1B visa has changed employer with approved H1B transfer. You can get a visa stamp on your visit to Australia using approved I797.

Chances of H1B approval in Australia?

The chances of H1B approval are the same as in India or Canada or Mexico. You may receive a form 221g if the embassy needs more information on your case.

You should plan for at least 3 weeks’ time to cater to any un-expected situation with admin processing.

H1B Interview Questions

You can expect the questions about your H1B job in the USA along with your education degree from the visa officer in the Australian US embassy.

• You should be ready to answer if asked “Have you worked in the US before?“.
• Another common question is: Have you received an H1B visa before for the employer you apply visa for?

Visa officer may ask the reason for your Australia visit as it is not common for Third-country nationals to apply for H1B there. If you are visiting to validate your Australia PR, you can clearly tell the same.

Australia 189 or 190 PR holders are expected to prove that they will go back to the US for work and not just stay in Australia and work remotely. If you intend to work while staying in Australia to maintain your PR, you do not need an H1B visa as per US immigration laws.

So, be careful about what you say there.

You are allowed to travel between Australia and the US if your majority of stay is in the US.

It is important that you carry your original marriage and childbirth certificates if H4 dependents are also with you.

US University Degree

The chances are very high for H1B approval without any form of 221g for people who have done their bachelor’s or Masters’s degree from US-based universities.

The general guidance from USCIS is that you should apply for an H1B visa stamp in your home country. US embassy in your home country has good knowledge about educational degrees and university status. This makes it easier for the visa officer to analyze and make an informed decision on your case.

Dropbox Eligibility

If you are eligible for H1B stamping in India using Dropbox, you may still have to appear for a visa interview if you opt for Australia.

In some cases, you are eligible for dropbox in Australia even when your last stamping was in India, Mexico, or Canada. You can check it using our app above.

Process

#1 Fill DS160 visa application form

Start with filling DS 160 online.

DS-160 now requires your social media account usernames like Facebook, Twitter IDs as per new requirements.

#2 Create an account on USATravelDocs website

The USATravelDocs Indian website is different than the Australian version.

• If you are applying for a U.S. Visa in Australia for the first time, you have to create a new account.
• It is possible that ‘usatraveldocs’ website does not let you choose Australia as the option if you have created your account on the Indian usatraveldocs website.

As shared by our guest Sachin in the comments earlier, he was able to contact both Indian and Australian usatraveldocs support and they explicitly move your details to the Australian website. This helps you to book an appointment in Australia.

Each USATravelDocs account is attached to a primary passport number. If the Indian USATravelDocs website has your own passport number, then you can use your wife’s passport number to create an ID on the Australian website.

#3 Pay Visa Fees

You have to pay visa fees for the type of visa you selected. You can pay by your US credit/debit card.

You should use a card that does not charge foreign transaction fees to save on extra charges. Discover and Synchrony bank credit cards (like Sams Club card) do not charge foreign transaction fees.

#4 Schedule Appointment

Click on Schedule Appointment on the left-hand side menu to schedule your appointment.

You will need:

• Your passport number
• Visa fees payment “Unique Sequence No” from Australia Post receipt or the “Receipt No” if you paid by credit card.
• The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

#5 Attend visa interview.

Carry a printout of your appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation page, one recent photograph (2×2 inch), your current and all old passports, and the original visa fee payment receipt.

Use H1B visa stamping documents checklist to make sure nothing is missing.

#6 Passport Sent by Mail – Australian Address Required

US embassy in Australia has no option to drop off or collect the passport from the VFS location or embassy. Hence, you should have an Australian local address ready to receive your stamped passport.

UsaTravelDocs uses Toll courier for sending your passport.

US Embassy Jurisdictions

Sydney takes care of residents in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales (NSW), Norfolk Island, and Queensland.

US embassy in Melbourne has jurisdiction over the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria.

Perth US consulate take care of whole Western Australia.

FAQ

Reference: US Embassy Australia