H1 visa Stamping

K

kppr

Registered Users (C)
Folks,

My 7th year H1 extension and H4 extension for my wife has just been approved. While I do have my wife's original H4 approval notice, my company has received my H1 original approval notice. Company will not give me my original H1 approval notice (they claim it to be their property), but will give me a copy of it with original I-94 that came with H1 approval notice.

My question is -

Will the copy of H1 approval notice suffice for stamping of H1 visa at a consulate or do the immigration officers require an original H1 appoval notice? What other documents are required for H1/H4 stamping?

Thanks..
 
how long

kppr said:
Folks,

My 7th year H1 extension and H4 extension for my wife has just been approved. While I do have my wife's original H4 approval notice, my company has received my H1 original approval notice. Company will not give me my original H1 approval notice (they claim it to be their property), but will give me a copy of it with original I-94 that came with H1 approval notice.

My question is -

Will the copy of H1 approval notice suffice for stamping of H1 visa at a consulate or do the immigration officers require an original H1 appoval notice? What other documents are required for H1/H4 stamping?

Thanks..
Click to expand...

-------------------------------

Sorry, I don't know the answer for ur question , but I want to know ..how long did ur h1-7th yr ext. take after applying??
It would be a GREAT help if u reply..
Thank You.
 
Don't take risk (with out original docs)

Mr. Kppr,
Original H1 approval notice is mandatory for H1 visa stamping. For H4 a copy of approved H1 is sufficient. My sincire advice is don't take risk now. As you aware, stamping is only a travel document and you don't have to get it stamped until unless you are travelling out of USA. It's matter of one year and you will get 8th , 9th ...ext till you get your GC. You don't have to get visa stamping in order to get 8th year ext. It's okay for H4 stamping (all they need is photo copies).

The required docs. Some times, they ask for all original docs for verification
but they keep all photocopies. Here is a list of docs.

Employer Letter (Including financial /company history brochure if available)
Visa application form filled by you
Approved LCA/I 129/ H1 visa
Current employment letters
Proessional exp (Resume)
Financial (Bank statements)
Recent Pay slips
Educational certificates
Marriage prrof docs for H4

Make a note: You should get it stamped from your home country.
 
Thanks...

drao -

It took about 2 months to get my 7th year extension approved. It was applied in the last week of 11/04 and got approval last week.

Mr. Critical25 -

Thank you for your reply, much appreciate it.

The problem is that the company is saying that H1 is their property and that they cannot give me the original copy, which I find very weird and unable to understand their reason behind saying that. I may have to travel back home and am thinking what to do now...I do have EAD though, but was thinking on coming back on H1. Any suggestions?

Thanks..
 
Have you ever thought about Advance Parole (If you are not working on EAD). Don't ever go for stamping with out having originals with you. It's not a safe idea to depend on just photo copies.
 
We sent H1B copy

Kppr,
Even I have only my H1B copies. Twice we had to renew my wife's H4:

1) in FY 2001 at Chennai US Consulate and
2) in FY 2003 at Washington DC State Department ( this is not an option anymore )

In both the occasions, we sent only a copy of my H1B receipt and got the visa stamped.

I am not sure if the requirements have changed now. But just wanted to share my experience.

Rasi
 
rincytom (Quick question)

Rincytom, it seems you are very knowledgable reg Visas and INS info. I have to change my H4 status to H1. Is it possible for me to get stamped from Canada/Mexico. Is there any rule/ legal issue reg "Change of statu to H1".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top