Hi everyone, I'm from India and just finished my Master's in the US. I started my job in Oct'24 and my company will sponsor for H1B visa (I'm in the lottery for 2025) and this is going to be my first attempt at the lottery. I'm on F1 OPT right now.

I need guidance on travelling to India. My long term girlfriend lives in India and we are planning to get engaged in the end of Feb next year and getting married in India in November. I'm planning to travel to India in Feb for three weeks for my engagement and would be back in the US first week of March. My company allows working from international locations.

Our parents were meeting yesterday and I told them Feb would be a good date for engagement and November would be safe bet for marriage given if or if not I'm picked in the lottery next year. Would this be a good date to plan around? Because I don't want to commit to one date and not end up travelling. :/

Also, after we get married I need advice on how to bring my spouse here. What are the availability of visa slots and what visa categories. I would really appreciate it if someone could give me a detailed breakdown of things and if Feb and Nov are good time to Travel.

Thanks a ton!