Thread	Posts	Last Post
	Archive through December 14, 2001	35	12-14-01  4:51 pm
	Archive through January 28, 2003	35	01-28-03  5:25 pm
	Archive through November 14, 2003	35	11-14-03  5:27 pm

Renuka Friday, November 14, 2003 - 9:03 pm:      ABedekar, tuza aadhicha message vachala. You did your first time H1 stamping. DId you have to go for interview at Mumbai consulate ?? How did you get appt ?? After the interview how long did it take for your visa to be stamped ? Also if you don't mind which company here in USA sponsored your H1 visa ?? Because your H1 visa stamping exp might have been smooth probably bcos the company was well known etc. My company is relatively unknown, it is barely 2-3 years old and quite small. BTW, I will be applying from Pune.

Asawari Monday, January 19, 2004 - 5:09 pm:      Just FYI, dec madhye mee L1 stamping la mumbai conuslate madhye aptmt gheun gele. Stamp milala. jar sarva papers neet asteel tar visa stamp milayala problem yeu naye.

Naatyaa Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 8:21 am:      Guys, A quick question. When we send our passports for revalidation/stamping here in US, we send the original I-797 with that. Does anyone remember if the original I-797 is returned back to us with the stamped passport? Last time when I came back from India, the immigration asked me if I had a copy of 797 on me. I didn't have a copy of that with me. According to him the visa stamped on the passport was not enough of a proof. He did let me go that time. Its been a long time since I had my visa stamped, and don't remember if I got the original I-797 back or not. If someone has any idea on whether they return it or not, please let me know. Thanks for the help!

Kalandar77 Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 5:40 pm:      of course, they do return it. but i think you can send a photocopy too. see this : http://travel.state.gov/hlop.html#5 i had sent the original I-797 for visa revalidation a year ago, dont know if they were accepting photocopies that time. and one should always have the current I-797 with him while entering the US. i think it's essential if you have transferred H1B from one employer to another and hold a valid visa with the past employer.

Naatyaa Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 2:34 am:      Kdya, dhanyawaad.. aaj sapadala maza original I-797. -- Naatyaa

Chafa Friday, July 29, 2005 - 1:22 pm:      How risky is it to go to India and get the visa stamped on passport if the H1B is about to expire in 2-3 months? Is anyone aware of a rule which will not let the visa be issued if only 2-3 months are remaining on the H1B?

Yogibear Friday, July 29, 2005 - 1:35 pm:      Chafa: What you mean by "if only 2-3 months are remaining on the H1B"!!! I believe you are going to the consulate to get H1-B extention, Isn't it!!!

Chafa Friday, July 29, 2005 - 1:41 pm:      This is for my friend. Her current H1B was issued while she was in US. It will expire in 2-3 months. But she has to go now to India which means she cannot come back without getting the visa stamped right? Now she is wondering whether they will stamp visa now - that the maximum period they can give visa for is 3 months! I don't think there is any rule which will prevent her from getting the visa stamped but thought I'd check here too. Thanks Yogi.

Yogibear Friday, July 29, 2005 - 1:48 pm:      Chafa: Not sure exactly whats the scenario in your friends case!!! You mentioned that she got a new H1b while she was in US, which means that the new H1B is not stamped in the passport and the one in the passport is from old employer, rite! Now when she goes outside US borders then she will have to have the new H1 stamped in her passport which has nothing to do with the old H1B even if the old H1B is still valid. At the consulate, all prior valid visas will be "cancelled" before they stamp the new H1B on her passport. I hope this helps....

Chafa Friday, July 29, 2005 - 1:52 pm:      ...its the "new" H1B which is expiring in 3 months! And yes, she will have to get it stamped. So should risk going or not is the question she's faced with.

Yogibear Friday, July 29, 2005 - 2:00 pm:      Chafa: Well no doubt that its a risk. I would suggest that getting/carrying H1B extension documents would be advisable unless the trip can be designated as "critical" travel in which case its better to ask attorney for the procedures/documents. Good Luck!

Asami Friday, July 29, 2005 - 2:25 pm:      Chafa, it's going likely going to be an issue for her, unless she has other current stamp on passport. Will she get stamp for her expiring visa ? That is the question only consulate can answer. I had to answer several questions though I had parole, and was not even entering back on H1B

Samrya Friday, July 29, 2005 - 3:25 pm:      H1B and visa r 2 different things. if u have a valid H1, then u can get ur visa stamped on passport in US or in India. no way can the consulate stop or reject the visa. and u can stay in this country with an expired visa but a valid H1B. i was staying with a visa expired over 2 yrs but had a valid H1B. if she thinks its risky, why even try to get it stamped? she can stay indefinitely with a valid H1B in this country -- dont worry abt the visa unless and until she is going to leave this country and wants to come back. does this help???

Prafull Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 12:28 am:      My advice would be to apply for H1-B extension (if not done already) thru Premium processing ($1000 more). If already applied thru normal channel then elevate the case to premium processing by paying $1000 more. She will receive approval in 10 days. This will take care of her issue and give her peace of mind.