H1 Visa Question

[mrajatish]

I have my H1 Visa stamp (calcutta consulate) valid from Jan 25, 2002 to Jan 25, 2005. I have my H1 visa approved and valid till 08/17/2007 (with I-94).

Can I travel from December 15th 2004 to Jan 2nd 2004 outside US to India? or do I have to get a new visa stamp in Calcutta when I go to India? It takes so long to get stamping these days that unless necessary, I want to avoid it. Also, applying for US visa is such a pain these days. I will have my advance parole sometime early next year based on 140/485 application.

 

[IPC302]

You dont have to go for visa stamping , you can enter on jan 2nd 2005 with the current visa stamping and just show the new approval notice at the entry and you should get the I-94 till 08/17/2007 .

As long as you enter before 25th jan you dont need new stamping . I have done this last year and had no issue at cincinnatio POE . I got the I-94 based on my new approval notice and not based on my visa .