H4 to H1B Stamping

[easyspider]

I am in H4 Visa for 1 year. My H4 Visa expires on July 25, 2008. I applied for my H4 extension along with my husband's H1B extension on March 2008 and I got my H4 extension also (but did not get stamping in PP as of now). New H4 expires on November 2009.

I applied for my H1B this year. By God's grace, my H1B is also approved. As others, I will be getting my Form I-797 on October 2008. My plan is to apply for SSN after getting my Form I-797 which would again take 3-4 weeks. Planning to start working on Dec first week of 2008.

My questions:

1) Can I work after getting my SSN and go for stamping June 2009? (My sister is saying that I have to get stamping before starting to work as this is a change of status from H4 to H1B)

2) Either case, if I go for stamping, there would be a time lag between July 25, 2008 to Dec 2008/June 2009 in my visa. I know I am not in an out-of-status as I have my H4 extension. But would there be any problem in getting my H1B visa stamped?

3) Can I go to Mexico and get the stamping? (Again sister is saying that this is from H4 to H1B and this is the first time, stamping can be done only in home country)

Thankyou all in advance for your time and consideration.

 

[dailyPluto]

>>1) Can I work after getting my SSN and go for stamping June 2009? (My sister is saying that I have to get stamping before starting to work as this is a change of status from H4 to H1B)

You can work on the date specified on H1-B approval notice. Not need to get visa on passport as long as you stay in US.



>>2) Either case, if I go for stamping, there would be a time lag between July 25, 2008 to Dec 2008/June 2009 in my visa. I know I am not in an out-of-status as I have my H4 extension. But would there be any problem in getting my H1B visa stamped?

If you plant to leave US, you need the visa on passport. If not, you don't need it.

>>3) Can I go to Mexico and get the stamping? (Again sister is saying that this is from H4 to H1B and this is the first time, stamping can be done only in home country)

Visa stamping is done at US embassy or consulates in your home. It's available in Canada, but your home country is best.


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