H1B without I-94

[nand]

Hi, i came here on B1 visa and I got my I-94 for 6months till june 26, 2004. I found a job and my employer applied for H1 by premium processing on june 10. I received a notice of action I797B dated june 16,2004 stating that--- petition has been approved. class H1B1. validity from 16 june, 2004 for one year. A notification has been sent to the listed consulate(chennai). this form did not have an I-94. This was approved before my I-94 expired. I would like to know if
1)I am considered out of status and
2)am i eligible to work legally.
I had problem getting a SSN. When contacted INS by e-mail i was said that I have to go to chennai to get my visa even though iam in US now. The approval notice also states that if any of the workers are already in US they can apply a new I129 for change or extend their status. But I had submitted I129 when applying for H1.what should I do now. please reply.

[nkm-oct23]

You will have to go to chennai US consulate to get a H1 visa. When you return to US on that visa, you will get admitted on H1, that's when your authorization to work begins. At that time you can apply for SSN.
If your original I-94 has expired you are not in a valid status. Make that trip to Chennai immediately.

[animeg]

Hello,
I Got My Visa Approval But It Came Without An I 94...i Fail To Understand Why...i Was Legally On An H4 Visa...and My Visa Was Going To Expire In 2 Yrs...so Why Is This...also Please Give Me A Solution To This....my Lawyer Says That The USCIS Said It Is A Processing Error....is That Possible....i Feel My Attorney Is Bluffing....i Am Really Worried....let Me Know

[neelmanish]

When I go to India for H-1 visa (re)stamping, should I plan on submitting the I-94 (which came with the H-1 extension approval) and the I-94 (expired) which I got when entering the US previously on H-1? So, I will submit both I-94s when I leave the US to go to India. Does the consulate need to look at the I-94 which came with the H-1 extension approval? If yes, I guess I can make a copy of this I-94 to show them, will that be fine? Please advise.