(JAMAICA) An Indian H-1B visa holder says he renewed his U.S. work visa in Jamaica in just two days, a timeline that has caught the attention of workers stuck in long queues back home. Posting under the handle “noobvorld” on the r/H1B forum, he described fast appointments, smooth service at the U.S. consulate in Kingston, and a calm entry process on the island.
His trip ran July 27 to August 2, 2025, with stamping completed so quickly that his passport was ready a full day earlier than expected.
Trip background and motivation
The traveler said he turned to Jamaica after failing to find dates in India and seeing Canada booked out to 2026. He used usvisaslots.app to compare wait times and spotted “numerous open slots” in Jamaica.
He flew from JFK to Kingston, returned via Montego Bay, and used reward points to keep costs down. While one person’s experience doesn’t decide policy, it reflects a growing trend: Indian professionals seeking Third Country National (TCN) visa stamping in places with better appointment supply.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Indian workers locked out by domestic backlogs are looking to nearby posts and Caribbean consulates where calendars are looser and processing can be quicker. That shift has put Jamaica on the map for H‑1B restamping, especially for workers with clean records and complete paperwork.
The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica cautions that non-residents face capacity limits and possible extra checks, so results can vary.
Policy and process highlights
- Appointment supply
- The applicant reported that Jamaica offered many open interview dates, while Canada was fully booked through 2026 and India had long delays. This aligns with broader 2025 patterns shared across expat forums.
- Form DS-160 accuracy
- The traveler stressed that the DS-160 must show the correct post (Jamaica) and said you can update it only once.
- Recommendation: Complete it carefully before booking. Community advice suggests submitting the DS-160 at least two business days before the interview so the barcode aligns with your appointment record.
- Official details:
Form DS-160
- Documents carried
- He brought:
- Current passport
- Old U.S. visa
- Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation/instructions
- Recent photo
- Offer letter
- Original Form I-797
- LCA copy
- Employment verification letter
- These items match what most H‑1B applicants are asked to show to confirm status, job, and pay.
- Entry to Jamaica
- Indians do not need a Jamaican visa for short stays.
- He completed the C5 immigration form online before flying.
- At Kingston, immigration took about 10 minutes, and officers were satisfied when he explained he came for U.S. visa renewal.
- Speed of issuance
- He described a quick, friendly experience at the U.S. consulate and said the visa was printed within two days. Staff were “helpful and pleasant.”
- Note: Consular posts warn some cases require security checks that extend processing.
- Embassy guidance for TCNs
- The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica says capacity for non-residents is limited and third-country nationals may face administrative processing that can delay visa issuance.
- Applicants are told not to lock in non-refundable travel until the visa is approved.
- The embassy notes processing “usually takes about a week,” and travelers should be ready to wait in Jamaica or arrange passport return.
- Official guidance: https://jm.usembassy.gov/visas/
- 2025 procedure updates
- Most nonimmigrant applicants still need in-person interviews.
- Users report consulates commonly ask that DS-160 be submitted a minimum of two business days before interviews.
- Separate updates in 2025:
- Social media requirements for F, M, and J categories as of June 18, 2025
- Removal of COVID-19 vaccine rules for immigrant visas since March 11, 2025
- These updates don’t change H-1B basics but show the system keeps shifting.
One Reddit comment from March 2025 captured the community’s tone: “Be very precise while filling out the DS 160 … Submit your DS 160 a day before you fly.”
The Jamaican experience drew praise for clear instructions and polite staff, a contrast to posts about crowded halls and reschedules in some Indian cities. Still, seasoned applicants warned that each case is unique and smooth trips come from careful prep, not luck alone.
Practical planning for Jamaica trips
The traveler split his time between Kingston and Montego Bay.
- Accommodation and travel strategy:
- Stayed at Courtyard by Marriott in Kingston — described as “average” but convenient for consulate visits.
- After stamping, moved to Secrets St. James in Montego Bay to wait for passport pickup in a quieter setting.
- Used Chase points transferred to Marriott for hotels and to Hyatt for flights — a common cost-saving approach that also preserves flexibility if processing slips.
For H‑1B visa holders considering Jamaica, three points stand out:
- Don’t finalize plans too early.
- The embassy advises against firm travel bookings until the visa is approved and in hand.
- Even quick cases can face sudden administrative checks.
- Plan for a week, hope for less.
- While this traveler got his passport in two days, the embassy says processing usually takes about a week.
- Book lodging with free changes and budget for extra nights.
- Get the paperwork right.
- Small errors on DS-160 can force updates and delays.
- Ensure the post listed is Jamaica if that’s where you’ll interview, the barcode confirmation is current, and employer documents (I-797, LCA, job letter, verification) match your role and pay.
Additional practical tips from applicants:
- Keep copies of everything.
- Carry extra photos.
- Check passport validity and blank pages.
- Bring your old visa if available.
- If changing employers or with gaps in status, pack extra proof (pay stubs, W‑2s, updated letters).
Why Jamaica works for some — and the risks
In 2025, the reasons Jamaica worked for many included:
- Appointment availability
- Predictable processing
- A welcoming consular team
For workers who can travel on short notice, that mix can mean less stress and less time away from the job. However, the TCN route is not risk-free:
- If selected for extra screening, you’ll need to stay until it clears or arrange passport handling.
- The embassy cautions capacity limits for non-residents and possible administrative processing.
The broader picture remains the same: strong demand in India continues to push people to look abroad for faster dates. Community reports suggest Jamaica, along with a few other posts, has become a steady option for those with clean H‑1B histories who need a new sticker before reentry to the United States.
As always: prepare well, keep schedules flexible, and follow official instructions closely.
This Article in a Nutshell
An H‑1B holder traveled to Jamaica July 27–August 2, 2025, found open interview slots, completed DS‑160 carefully, and received a two‑day visa stamping, illustrating TCN strategies amid India backlogs and embassy cautions about administrative processing and limited capacity for non‑residents.
