H1 and H4 VISA Revalidations at the Chennai consulate

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WhenIGetMyGC

Registered Users (C)
There's so much information in this forum that sometimes it's too much. I'm trying to figure out the basics of this process... which shouldn't be so complicated to start with. Anyway, here's my case:

Have a H1B VISA and my wife's on her H4. My H1B approval is valid till 2007, but the VISA stamp expired in June 2004. Tried sending it for revalidation to TX, but it came back with a "221_g - Cancelled without prejudice" note on the VISA. So I'm going to go to India in March next year to get the VISA stamped.

For this, please let me know if the following procedure will work:

* Make an appointment for a day in March (specifically choosing H1 category for the city of my choice... Chennai).
* Take copies of W2, photos of place of work, tax returns, all H1 documentation and passport.
* Show up for the interview and hopefully not make a fool of yourself.

That's pretty much it, right? If everything goes well, in about 3 days I should have my VISA revalidated, right? The only question that bothers me is, on my application, what do I fill in for "has your VISA ever been refused?". Should I say "yes" or "no"?

Thanks.
 
Thanks a bunch man.

One more question... since both my wife and I are going back to get our VISAs revalidated (me for my H1 and she for her H4), do I need to get 2 separate appointments or can we appear together under 1 appointment? Also, the fees, paperwork, etc... should they all be 2 copies or just 1?

Thanks
 
> city of my choice

It's not your choice. You are supposed to go to the consulate that handles your home address area.

> appointments

You'll need to make ONE appointment. Online system has a page where you can add dependents' passport information when making your appointment.

> papers

Two sets. You'll need to fill out seperate paper applications and take it to the consulate. You'll need 4 Demand Drafts (two for each of you). As a practical matter, they won't require a second copy of common documentation (like your I-20s, old 797, employer information etc), but don't take the chance, make copies. You can shred and recycle later if you care about trees.

> documents

Take everything that the consulate web site says. In addition, as you have already been in US, take documentation to prove that you were in legal status and be prepared to account for every day spent in the US. Take I-20's if you studied, I-797 of old H1B, 3 years of tax returns and W2 etc etc.

I recommend making two packages: one is the documentation they'll definitely ask for, and other, all papers remotely concerend with USA/employment/visa just in case.

Finally, don't worry, H1 and H4 visas (especially renewal) are almost automatic.

~T
 
Thanks Talkative... you sound like a man who's been through it all :).

I'm hoping that revalidation will be a walk in the park, but I had just applied to TX and got the darn 221g - Cancelled without prejudice on my VISA; hope that won't mess things up in any way.
 
Dont worry about the 'Cancelled without Prejudice'. Thats what is stamped on an expired visa.
If you had not sent it to TX, and had gone directly to the consulate (Chennai), when they re-validate your visa, they stamp 'Cancelled without Prejudice' on the old expired visa. Have it on my passport.
 
Cancellled with Prejice??

kool_maverik or anyone else:

Do you guys know how does "Cancelled without Prejudice" impact the next stamping. I got my visa revalidated in Mar 2002 from New Delhi and they put cancelled without Prejudice on my old "expired" visa.

Now I am going for stamping in Jan. What should I answer in Q35 of D156 - "Has your visa been ever cancelled or revoked?". Does anyone know?

Thanks

nkc
 
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