Lost F1 Visa :(

[cha.sri]

Hey,

Firstly, thanks for such a great forum. Its a blessing for a student like me who can not afford a lawyer and dont have legitimate advice.

I lost my Passport with my I94 and Visa about a month back. Over the period, I have worked to getting a new passport and a duplicate I94. I guess this legitamizes my stay in the US. When I spoke to USCIS about the Visa, they told me that "the Visa is like a key to the house and you dont require it once you are inside".

So here are my questions,

1. Is it advisable to stay back and not make a trip to India just for the Visa?
2. I guess it is the whole (darned) visa reapplication process. Would I face any difficulties when I appear for my F1 Visa interview again?
3. I would be graduating next SUmmer. After that I have an employer who is willing to sponsor my H1B. Can I just stay back and directly get my H1B stamped next year. Or, would not having a F1 stamping spoil my H1B/OPT chances?

Kindly help!!!

 

[levator]

hi cha.sri,

i'm in the same situation. did you ever find out if it will be a problem to get an H1B visa with a lost F1 visa? i have copies of my expired F1 visa pages from my old (lost) passport, i have received a new indian passport, and i have received a replacement I-94 card.

i just don't want to risk going to india and not having my visa rejected.
i would rather transfer from my F-1 to H1B status directly, but need to know if the fact that i lost my actual F1 visa ( i have copies) will cause problems.

thanks for the help!