u/Expert_Substance_204

My L1A petition was just approved. I have the PDF from my attorney but the original hard copy hasn't reached me yet — likely 2-3 weeks before it arrives to me.

I have some deadlines because of which I am unable to wait for the appointment (trying for emergency), but everything I'm reading says Indian consulates strictly want the original now and that going without it risks a 221(g).

For anyone who's been through L1 stamping in India recently (2025 or 2026):

1. Did the officer actually ask to see / keep the original I-797B at the window?

2. Has anyone successfully gone in with only a printout? Which consulate?

3. If you got a 221(g) for missing original, how long did it take to clear?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m in the process of scheduling my visa appointment (L1A) from India and had a question about how to correctly fill out the petition details section.

The appointment system asks for:

• Petition receipt number
• Petition approval date
• Petition expiry date

Here’s my situation:

• I have my I-797C receipt notice with a filing date of April XX
• My understanding is that the approval (I-797) is still pending (expected by May YY), but I want to book a visa slot in advance due to long wait times
• Receipt number is clear, but I’m unsure about the “petition approval date” field

I’ve come across mixed information online (including Reddit) suggesting:

• Some people use the filing date as a placeholder
• Others say you must wait for the actual I-797 approval notice date

My questions:

1. Has anyone successfully scheduled an appointment before approval? If yes, what did you enter for “petition approval date”?
2. Is using the I-797C filing date (April 13 in my case) generally acceptable?
3. Does this field get validated strictly later, or can it be corrected/updated after booking?

Would really appreciate insights from anyone who’s gone through this recently, especially for L1 visas.

https://preview.redd.it/u3s6pj9kywzg1.png?width=1600&format=png&auto=webp&s=cbe623a9e7222d22695c1a974f6db787632124ef

Thanks in advance!