Change of Status to H1B - strange situation - any tips?

chad_dc

New Member
I am currently on a J1 scheme in the US that allows you to work / intern.

The office I've been interning at have successfully got me H1B status, which is due to start May 01. My J1 status ends in July.

I now have to get my passport stamped before July.

I am going to work in Brussels for a week in March and wish to get the H1B visa stamp during that trip. However, the attorney said that this MAY be problematic...
because during that visa interview the consular officer might cancel the J1 visa, meaning that I couldn't return to USA until the H1B starts - in May !

This would mean I wouldn't be able to continue interning at my office, where I will be needed, in USA - until I can start the actual job in May when H1b starts.

To complicate things further, I have two passports. One of them has the J1 on, and expires in 1.5 years. The other , from another country, has 8 years left on it - so I want the H1B stamped in that.

How likely is it that I will have problems ? When I called the visa line they simply said that they can't guarantee anything but that I should explain the situation to the consular officer - who, if he believes I am returning to continue respecting my J1 status, should have no problem with me keeping J1 active.

Any clues? :confused:
 
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