Please help - Lost old H1 approvals (I797)

[Venkaty]

Hi all,

I was in the US for 5 years and moved back to India. I am planning to apply for a new H1 soon. I had 2 previous H1s from my previous company - but lost my previous H1 papers (I797).

Can anyone please let me know what I need to do. I have photo copies of all my previous H1 approvals. Is my old I797s required for future visa applications?

* When I go for my visa stamping with the new h1 APPROVAL - do I need to produce original of my previous H1 approvals?

* WIll they accept photo copies of my old H1 approvals?

* Is there any way to get a duplcate copy from INS for my old H1 approvals?

Please help me as to what I need to do in this difficult situation.

Thanks.

 

[amitkoh]

I lost mine once. I lost my current I-797 and I-94. I got a certified copy from my immi lawyer (they always have original copies). I used that copy to re-enter US from Canada and got the new I-94.

Not totally relevant experience, but I am sure you got the point. Call up your past lawyers and ask for "legal" (red stamp saying legal on the side) copy.

 

[ginnu]

**amitkoh is correct that you can get past copies from lawyer or employer

Hi all,

I was in the US for 5 years and moved back to India. I am planning to apply for a new H1 soon. I had 2 previous H1s from my previous company - but lost my previous H1 papers (I797).
-----as your Empluer is applying NEW Fresh H1 you dont need to submit previous H1 approval notice copies for NEW H1
Can anyone please let me know what I need to do. I have photo copies of all my previous H1 approvals.
----you can send the photocopies but they are not needed. same documents from side your education certificates,EXP letter copies, your educational evaluation done in US( if you have copy that your Evaluation that was done earlier that will do),copies of your passport and your resume, all other documents like LCA from DOL and form I-129 are to be submited by employer to lawyer who is going to file H1
Is my old I797s required for future visa applications?
--------No, NO
* When I go for my visa stamping with the new h1 APPROVAL - do I need to produce original of my previous H1 approvals?
-----your NEW H1 Orignal approval notice
* WIll they accept photo copies of my old H1 approvals?
----- they dont need
* Is there any way to get a duplcate copy from INS for my old H1 approvals?
---- why you want it? it is not needed for new H1 filing or when you get NEW H1 approval to get H1 Visa from consulate, they have nothing to do with your past H1 approvals or approval copies
Please help me as to what I need to do in this difficult situation.
---- what is difficult here? let the employer file NEW H1 if you have been out of US for 1 year. once get new H1 approval notice go to consulate for H1 Visa stamp
Thanks.