Hi Folks,
My old H1B is stamped in passport till Oct'2008 and my new I-797 & I-94 has validity date of Aug 2010. So I am planning to go to Tijuana for restamping in Jan or Feb 2008. My queries are -
1) If I go to Tijuana- Mexico do I need visa to enter Mexico ? I have read on some forums that when you enter Mexico by "crossing over " in to the border on foot there is no entry gate post on Mexico side to check the visa ?? So practically you do not need visa to enter Mexico ... is it true ???
2) When we leave USA, we are supposed to hand over I-94 at the departure gate but when you cross over to Mexico ( or to Canada ) on foot ( or by road ) who collects our I-94 ?? Some postings on the forums state that no one collects your I-94 and in fact once new visa is stamped when you enter USA again you can use same I-94 as long it is valid. ..... is it true ?? Any first hand experiences ??
3) I saw postings from some people getting stuck in Canada and other places on account of "security clearances". So when US Consulate holds new visa stamping on account of "security clearance" issues do they return back the passport or they hold the passport ??
4) If Consulate is returning the passport can I enter USA again on strength of my valid H1B ( stamped till Oct 2008 in my passport ) and return to Tijuana ( or say Canada ) once H1B is ready for stamping ???
Would appreciate your valuable suggestions.
Thanks.
Anil
My old H1B is stamped in passport till Oct'2008 and my new I-797 & I-94 has validity date of Aug 2010. So I am planning to go to Tijuana for restamping in Jan or Feb 2008. My queries are -
1) If I go to Tijuana- Mexico do I need visa to enter Mexico ? I have read on some forums that when you enter Mexico by "crossing over " in to the border on foot there is no entry gate post on Mexico side to check the visa ?? So practically you do not need visa to enter Mexico ... is it true ???
2) When we leave USA, we are supposed to hand over I-94 at the departure gate but when you cross over to Mexico ( or to Canada ) on foot ( or by road ) who collects our I-94 ?? Some postings on the forums state that no one collects your I-94 and in fact once new visa is stamped when you enter USA again you can use same I-94 as long it is valid. ..... is it true ?? Any first hand experiences ??
3) I saw postings from some people getting stuck in Canada and other places on account of "security clearances". So when US Consulate holds new visa stamping on account of "security clearance" issues do they return back the passport or they hold the passport ??
4) If Consulate is returning the passport can I enter USA again on strength of my valid H1B ( stamped till Oct 2008 in my passport ) and return to Tijuana ( or say Canada ) once H1B is ready for stamping ???
Would appreciate your valuable suggestions.
Thanks.
Anil