uscis.gov How to Apply H1B Visa : U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services

Name of the Organaisation : U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (uscis.gov)
Type of Facility : How to Apply H1B Visa
Home Page : http://www.uscis.gov

About H-1B Visa :
The US will start accepting application for H-1B visa, the most sought after work visa by Indian IT professionals from April 1 this year, the federal agency USCIS announced.
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa which allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers. With the improvement in the country’s economy, and based on the feed-back from companies, the US Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) said this year they expect to receive enough applications to fill up the congressionally mandated numbers in the first five days that is April 5.
Step 1 : Digital photograph of each applicant
A digital photograph is required for while applying for a H1B visa. The photograph must meet certain criteria. A good photographer or studio can get this picture if you mention photograph needed for H1B visa purpose.

The digital photograph must meet the following requirements:
** The digital photograph must be a square.
** Minimum dimensions must be 600 pixels by 600 pixels.
** Maximum dimensions must be 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels.
** Image must be in color (24 bits per pixel).
** Image must be in the JPEG format (.jpg or .jpeg file extension).
** File size of the image must be less than or equal to 240 kilobytes.

Step 2 : Complete H1B Visa application form DS160
** H1B visa application (form DS160) must be completed online, over the internet.
** You can complete the application at Dept of State website. Read US Visa Application Form DS-160.
** After successfully completing the application, you will receive a confirmation with a 10-digit bar code.
** Take a printout of this page. This will be needed for setting up your visa interview appointment.

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) : https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

Guidelines for Completing the Form DS-160 :
Complete and submit your Form DS-160 after reviewing the nonimmigrant visa application process. You must submit your DS-160 application online prior to making an appointment for an interview at the Embassy or Consulate.
** The interview post you select at the beginning of the Form DS-160 must be the same post where you schedule your interview appointment.
** All questions must be answered in English using English-language characters only, except when you are asked to provide your full name in your native alphabet.
** You are required to upload a photograph taken within the last six months as a part of the DS-160 process. Detailed guidelines for taking and submitting a quality photograph are on the U.S. Department of State website here.
** If you stop working on this application for more than 20 minutes, your session will expire. You will have to start over, unless you have recorded your Application ID Number or have saved your application to a file on your computer. Write down the Application ID displayed on the top right-hand corner of the page. If you need to close the browser before submitting your application, you will need this Application ID to continue your application.
** The completed DS-160 application form will generate an alpha-numeric bar code confirmation page. Print this page.
** Once you have printed the bar code confirmation page, hit the “Back” button on your web browser and then email yourself a backup copy of the DS-160. The emailed file will be in PDF format, which requires Adobe Acrobat to view or print.

Step 3 : H1B Visa Application Fees
The fee can be paid either electronically as a bank transfer or in cash at designated Citibank or Axis bank branches throughout the India. In order to ensure the proper amount is paid and activated in a timely manner, first create a profile at US visa Service website and choose the Schedule Appointment option. On the payment confirmation screen you will be presented with payment options and further details of how to initiate payment. The fee is good for a year from the date of payment. You must take an appointment within a year for your visa interview.

Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts :
The application fees are listed below and apply to one visa application. The application fee for the most common non immigrant visa types is $160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190. K visas cost US$240 and the fee amount for E visas is US$270. The tables below are a more comprehensive list of visa types and fee amounts.

More details for fees : https://www.ustraveldocs.com/