**Urgent: Father-in-law in ICU in India, husband's H1B ending Nov 2026, no visa stamp for re-entry – what are his options?**
Hi,
I'm hoping the knowledgeable folks here can share some guidance while we also consult with an immigration attorney. We're in a very stressful situation and want to gather as much information as possible.
**The situation:**
- My husband is currently in the US on an H1B visa.
- His H1B status is valid but **expires in November 2026**.
- His employer is currently in the process of filing an **H1B extension**.
- He does **not** have a valid H1B visa stamp for re-entry into the US.
- His father (my father-in-law) is currently in the **ICU in India in critical condition**, and we are considering whether he needs to travel urgently.
- We have heard that the US Consulate in India has **canceled most/all H1B visa stamp appointments for 2026**. Can anyone confirm if this is accurate and whether there are any exceptions or workarounds?
**Our key questions:**
- If he travels to India on an emergency basis (family emergency / humanitarian grounds), what are his realistic options for getting a visa stamp to re-enter the US? Also, how to figure out the emergency process for travel in this situation?
2. Is there an **emergency/expedited visa appointment** process available for genuine humanitarian emergencies at the US consulate in India?
- If his **H1B extension is approved while he is in India**, can he use the approval notice to attend a consular appointment or apply for a stamp?
4. What happens to his H1B extension petition if he is outside the US when it is approved or pending?
Is **Canada or a third country** a viable option for getting an H1B visa stamp (so-called "third country national" stamping)? What are the risks?
Are there any other visa categories or provisions (e.g., advance parole, emergency travel document) that might apply?
**What we've done so far:**
- We are already in the process of speaking to an immigration lawyer.
- We understand every case is different and this is not legal advice.
Any personal experiences, knowledge of current consulate policies, or pointing us toward the right resources (USCIS, travel.state.gov, etc.) would be enormously appreciated. Thank you in advance.