Hello. I've some qns. regarding H1 visa revalidation in US.
I've read a few postings on this & another forum, Dept of state sites, but still unclear about certain issues.
There seems to be some disparities in the documents being requested for revalidation within the US by the Dept of State and outside of the US at the US Consulates say, in India.
A) DOCUMENTS:
*************
1) Original of I-797 to be sent or copy? (certified as mentioned in a few postings??)
2) I-129, LCA copies also required?(as recd from lawyer)
3) Transcripts/old H1s also to be mailed? (i've taken all these for prior H1 stampings in India where they insist on all originals AND a set of copies.
B) PASSPORT:
***********
4)My passport expires June 2003. Is this too close to the '6 month passport validity' rule if i send for revalidation this Sept?
5) My latest H1/I-94 is valid until Sept 2004. Will the visa be stamped anycase until Sept ‘04 eventhough passport expiry is June ‘03?
Or should i renew my passport first?? Dept of state site mentions 'passport validity date at least 6 mo. beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in US’.
C) PAYMENT:
*************
6)Is 'certified check'(mentioned in another forum) same as 'bank cashier's check'? Or is money order safer way to go?
D) FORMS:
**********
7)Form DS157: 'countries entered' question - Should I mention even 1 day transit visa stays (if so stamped on passport)? Including 1/2 day trip to Mexico for prior visa stamping?
8)Form DS157: 'social/charitable orgns' - Even registered US tax exempt relief orgns in which one has volunteered/contributed to be mentioned?? Or to mark 'Not Applicable'?
9)Form DS156: Many questions seem irrelevant if one is already here and revalidating without leaving country? ‘Not Applicable’ is better answer alternative?
Qn-19)'Purpose of trip' - Ans: Continuing employment?
Qn 21/23) When do you intend to arrive and who will pay for your trip?
Ans: N/A or to mention 'already in the US'?
Really appreciate your feedback based on your experience and expertise.
Thanks in advance, folks.
I've read a few postings on this & another forum, Dept of state sites, but still unclear about certain issues.
There seems to be some disparities in the documents being requested for revalidation within the US by the Dept of State and outside of the US at the US Consulates say, in India.
A) DOCUMENTS:
*************
1) Original of I-797 to be sent or copy? (certified as mentioned in a few postings??)
2) I-129, LCA copies also required?(as recd from lawyer)
3) Transcripts/old H1s also to be mailed? (i've taken all these for prior H1 stampings in India where they insist on all originals AND a set of copies.
B) PASSPORT:
***********
4)My passport expires June 2003. Is this too close to the '6 month passport validity' rule if i send for revalidation this Sept?
5) My latest H1/I-94 is valid until Sept 2004. Will the visa be stamped anycase until Sept ‘04 eventhough passport expiry is June ‘03?
Or should i renew my passport first?? Dept of state site mentions 'passport validity date at least 6 mo. beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in US’.
C) PAYMENT:
*************
6)Is 'certified check'(mentioned in another forum) same as 'bank cashier's check'? Or is money order safer way to go?
D) FORMS:
**********
7)Form DS157: 'countries entered' question - Should I mention even 1 day transit visa stays (if so stamped on passport)? Including 1/2 day trip to Mexico for prior visa stamping?
8)Form DS157: 'social/charitable orgns' - Even registered US tax exempt relief orgns in which one has volunteered/contributed to be mentioned?? Or to mark 'Not Applicable'?
9)Form DS156: Many questions seem irrelevant if one is already here and revalidating without leaving country? ‘Not Applicable’ is better answer alternative?
Qn-19)'Purpose of trip' - Ans: Continuing employment?
Qn 21/23) When do you intend to arrive and who will pay for your trip?
Ans: N/A or to mention 'already in the US'?
Really appreciate your feedback based on your experience and expertise.
Thanks in advance, folks.