astarscream
Registered Users (C)
Both me and my wife have a appointment for H1B/H4 stamping at the US consulate in Mumbai. I am F1 to H1B first time stamping, my wife is F1 to H4 first time stamping.
My current passport has my F1 stamp of 2000 and all my other H1B related documentation is in order.
However I have a question:
In 1985 when I was in 7th grade, I moved to US temporarily as my father was transferred here. I was here for 4 years (from 7th to 10th grade) on L2 visa from 1985-1989. I went back to India in 1989 and came back in 2000 on F1 visa for graduate studies and then switched to H1B.
However , I do not have my passport of 1985 to 1989 that had my L2 visa on it. That passport was lost. I do have a copy of the L2 visa stamp in the passport that was issued to me in 1985 at the Mumbai Consulate and also copy of the pages of that passport with my entry dates into the US.
Now my question is: - on the form DS-156 where the previous dates of visit to the US and any previous US visa issued are asked should I mention my 1985 visit here on L2 visa? If I mention this and the consular official asks to produce my old passport then I won't be able to. Can he reject my H1B stamping because of this. I can only provide him a copy of the old L2 visa stamp on the passport.
If I don't mention my 1985 visit here on L2 visa, then will it be safe. During or before the appointment can the consular official do a records check with my name and will he find my L2 stamping date of 1985. In that case it will look like I am trying to hide something.
Please advice
Thanks
My current passport has my F1 stamp of 2000 and all my other H1B related documentation is in order.
However I have a question:
In 1985 when I was in 7th grade, I moved to US temporarily as my father was transferred here. I was here for 4 years (from 7th to 10th grade) on L2 visa from 1985-1989. I went back to India in 1989 and came back in 2000 on F1 visa for graduate studies and then switched to H1B.
However , I do not have my passport of 1985 to 1989 that had my L2 visa on it. That passport was lost. I do have a copy of the L2 visa stamp in the passport that was issued to me in 1985 at the Mumbai Consulate and also copy of the pages of that passport with my entry dates into the US.
Now my question is: - on the form DS-156 where the previous dates of visit to the US and any previous US visa issued are asked should I mention my 1985 visit here on L2 visa? If I mention this and the consular official asks to produce my old passport then I won't be able to. Can he reject my H1B stamping because of this. I can only provide him a copy of the old L2 visa stamp on the passport.
If I don't mention my 1985 visit here on L2 visa, then will it be safe. During or before the appointment can the consular official do a records check with my name and will he find my L2 stamping date of 1985. In that case it will look like I am trying to hide something.
Please advice
Thanks