Lost Passport - Getting H1-B Restamped -- Questions?

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bvganesh

Registered Users (C)
Here is my story.

I lost my passport & I-94 in a car burgulary just 10 days prior to my travel to India (travelling on 23rd Nov 2002).

I got a a new passport (with a new passport number!!) from Chicago in a day. The guys at the Indian Consualte really a good job. I was so stressed out and was so relieved to get the new passport (though with just one year validity) on the same day. The only issue is that you will have to be in person at the Chicago consulate with the application.

Since I lost my I-94, I called up INS to apply for a new one and asked them whether I could get the I-94 replaced within a week as I am travelling out the country. They said there is no problem and that I don't need to apply for a replacement as I would be getting a new one when I come back into US again with a valid VISA.


Here is my question.

* Now when I travel to Chennai, guess I need to restamp my Visa. Has anybody done this before? (I got my visa stamped only in July this year). So I'm presuming that there shouldn't be any problem.

* Question regarding lost I-94:
Would there any problem when I'm coming back if I don't turn in the I-94? Has anbody forgotten to turn in I-94 before when they left US (even on a short trip)?

Your answers would be of great value to me.

Thanks,
Ganesh.
 
I presume that you still have the original H1 approval. That and letters from employer, recent paystubs, LCA copy, I129 application copy is all required to get a new h1 stamp(yes plan to get a new visa stamp).
Do you have the report from the police about the theft? That will help explain the requirement of restamping at the consulate. If you have a copy of previous visa stamp, that will iron out some wrinkles.

While coming back, all U need to do is to fill up a new I94 and file it. your major hassle is getting the visa stamp in the passport It is not entering US using new passport.

Surprising how U are able to answer many Qs in this forum despite your uncertaint situation. I hope the beneficiaries of your answers appreciate your helpful nature...
 
jaxen -- Thanks!!

Jaxen,

I called up US Consualte @ Chennai today to check on my status. They just said that I'll have to do the drop box and didn't give me a chance to meet to visa officer. They repeatedly said that I'll have to use the drop box and if in case there is an query they will call me and that it would take about 8-10 working days to issue a new visa.

I'm travelling on a week's vacation and keeping my fingers crossed. I'll post the forum on my experience.

Cheers,
Ganesh.
 
Ganesh - My friend Ganesh also is in same boat...

He is supposed to leave today to India but cannot. He applied for H1 VISA extention by post to Washington 7 weeks back and those fellas say they did their job and did fedex it but fedex people say they did not get it...so its kinda lost.

He is planning to apply for Indian Passport at Newyork city Indian Consulate tomorrow....ur message gives him some hope that he will get his PP in a day which is great. He has to leave to India as his sis and he is also getting married...u know.

Now comes the problem....if he has sent all H1 papers to Washington then he cannot get H1 stamp on his new pp in Bombaby.....hmmmm

please comment.
Thanks
 
another_wish

Ooo... that's scary... but believe me he is not the first victim of the nonchallant attitude of INS/DOJ.

But don't worry. There is a cure for every problem

Here is what he could do:
* First he'll have to get a new passport, for which he'll have to do the following.
  • --> Get a letter from fedex stating that package was either not received from the sender(INS) or lost in the transaction.
    --> Take all the records (from receipts of his posting to INS washington to any tracking numbers he got for those he had sent and for those INS claims they have sent)
    --> Which Indian Consulate Zone does he fall under? (Chicago, Houston, Washington, San Francisco) (Technically he could go to any Indian Consulate though)
    --> Ask him to call the Indian consulate and if need be fix an appointment and gather all paper works.
    --> He would need 10 Passport size Photographs (Better take 15)
    --> He would have to get a notoraized reference letter from 2 of his friends who currently hold indian passport and a photocopy of the passport of the person who issues the reference letter.
    --> Take the tickets to India along with him and sis'/his marriage invitation.
    --> Available photocopy of the old passport. (if this is not there it's kind of difficult. They ask too many questions. Hopefully atleast his employer would be having a copy of his passport)
    --> Fill up the application form and get it notarized.
    --> Personal checks are not accepted. So take enough cash. ($145 fee + if you want it on the same day add $90)
    --> Take a lot of change with you (quarters/Nickels/dimes). you would need it everywhere in chicago.

Here is the details on the web and the corresponding forms.
http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/
http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/geninf0602.htm
http://www.indiacgny.org


* Then he'll have to get a copy of I-797 (original is required at US Consualte in India) (which his lawyer/employer is most likely to have)
* He needs an letter of employement/continued employment.
* Carry along with him a set of photocopies of the documents he submitted for the new passport when he goes in for stamping in India.
* Chennai advised to use drop box and only drop box. No appointment given despite trying to explain my situation.
* The procedure is exactly similar to applying for a new/renewal H1-B.
* Not much likely hood for problems.


Wishing him good luck.

Hope this helps. Just send me a mail bvganesh@yahoo.com if you need more info.

Cheers,
Ganesh.
 
Ganesh - Thanks a bunch. Guess what...

My friend Ganesh is already on his way to airport.....his flight is at 7:15 PM from New York. He talked to Indian Consulate folks today and took 16 passport photos to get duplicate pp. He then went home for lunch and to check if any thing came in regular mail....and YES ....he got the Passport.....he was so happy as he can go on scheduled flight and meet his family as planned. I mean its like hitting a lottery u know. Happy for him.

Ganesh - Thank you for your detail info, will let my friend know. We were infact disscussing your case today morning. Wishing you good luck. Thanks again.
 
another_wish

What a relief!! Thank God!.

Convey my congratulations on his marriage and wish him safe journey!!

Cheers,
Ganesh.
 
Just a conclusion

I got all my problems resolved!!

I got the new passport from Indian Consulate Chicago within a day.

Travelled to India 3 days from then.

Gave my passport for stamping.

For some strange reason, US Consulate returned my passport without stamping H1-B after 2 weeks stating that "Need old passport" in the "documents missing" section, eventhough I had enclosed police report, old copies of the passport and a detailed covering letter. So another 2 week delay after which I finally got it. I had to talk to the manager of TT services to expedite the process. He said he couldn't but could mention about my case during his routine conversation with the consulate.

Got married, applied for H4 for my wife. She got it within 4 days without any problem.

Cheers,
Ganesh.
 
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