State Department Puts an End to Visa Revalidation

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nsr2004

Registered Users (C)
I received this from immigration newswire..it sucks man..

The State Department has announced that July 6, 2004 will be the last day that it will
accept applications for visa revalidation in the U.S. It will continue to accept visa
applications that it had previously denied because the application was incomplete; but it
will accept no new cases.
The Visa Revalidation Unit has existed as a helpful alternative to applying for visas at
consular posts abroad. The visa revalidation option is available only to applicants who
received a visa abroad; who have extended their stay in the U.S.; and who are applying
for a new visa in the same nonimmigrant category.
Visa Revalidations are done by mail in the U.S. and the revalidation office has no
capacity to conduct visa interviews. The visa revalidation procedure therefore does not
fit with the State Department’s mandate issued in May 2003, stating that all
nonimmigrant visa applicants, with very limited exceptions, must attend an interview at a
consulate in order to receive a nonimmigrant visa. The revalidation program is therefore
being abolished. Any nonimmigrant who wishes to obtain a visa must now apply for a
visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad.
 
A quick question. If a person has a visa stamped until 2006, but has a I129 approval notice till April 2005, can be keep entering USA without getting it stamped in India/USA and after April 2005 he keeps on extending on 7th year extension and still use the old valid visa(until 2006).

He does have an advance parole though.. Also, I heard that State Dept doesnt validate the visa 2/3 months before expiration.

Correct me if I am missing anything.

Want GC Soon :)
 
I dont think that you will be allowed to enter at the port of entry if you approval is upto 2005 but the visa stamp is beyond that date. I am curoous to know how did you get such a visa. Or is it just a hypothetical situation.

State Department allows Visa revalidation if the visa is within 6 months of expiry (i.e. will expire after 6 months from today) or has expired for less than 1 year.
 
Nowhere. No revalidation anymore. You will have to get visa at a Consulate abroad .. which means going either to Canada or Mexico and wasting more money, time and sleep.
 
My understanding is that H1-B visa becomes invalid the moment you have use AP to enter into US. ????

Just FYI - I got my visa stamped from Vancouver, Canada recently. Though I could have got it done from St. Louis, went for a lil quicker option of Canada since I have an impending international travel coming up.
 
I can't imagine the line up at consulates abroad

Already there is 2 to 3 months wait to get the web appointment for visa stamping. From now on it could easily reach 6 months if they don't staff the consulates in good number.

I am trying to get an appointment for my family in Sydney. The earliest one could get there is 1 and half months away. Imagine what happens at Toronto and Montreal consulates.
 
No Revalidation

HI All,

Where did u get the above information, could you please share the link or URL,

Thanks in Advance
 
zbcx123 said:
My understanding is that H1-B visa becomes invalid the moment you have use AP to enter into US. ????

Just FYI - I got my visa stamped from Vancouver, Canada recently. Though I could have got it done from St. Louis, went for a lil quicker option of Canada since I have an impending international travel coming up.
Click to expand...

No. Using the AP , no matter how many times, does not invalidate H1B.
Can you please share your experience of stamping in Canada? Did you face any problems/obstacles?
 
kankanala said:
HI All,

Where did u get the above information, could you please share the link or URL,

Thanks in Advance
Click to expand...

Hi Kankanala,

I found the information from the weekly briefing I get from Law Offices of James D. Eiss, New York. Check the attached pdf.

Thanks.
 
Does this new rule applys in getting a visa stamped in the passport or just for extension of H1 approvals also?

i.,e if my h1 expires next month(say 3 years of time), can I extend it within US or have to go out of the country to do that?

My understanding is this rule applies for only getting visa stamping on the passport and not the extension of visas. correct?

thanks
 
love2002 said:
Does this new rule applys in getting a visa stamped in the passport or just for extension of H1 approvals also?

i.,e if my h1 expires next month(say 3 years of time), can I extend it within US or have to go out of the country to do that?

My understanding is this rule applies for only getting visa stamping on the passport and not the extension of visas. correct?

thanks
Click to expand...
love2002,

You got it right.
 
dazzling said:
Nowhere. No revalidation anymore. You will have to get visa at a Consulate abroad .. which means going either to Canada or Mexico and wasting more money, time and sleep.
Click to expand...
When you go outside USA - get it stamped. Stamp is needed for entry only. Don't lose your sleep over it. :D
 
The only places we can get it stamped is either Canada, Mexico or Home country.

I've tried to get it stamped while I was on a business trip to UK but they wouldn't do it.
 
Jharkhandi Can you answer this:


A quick question. If a person has a visa stamped until 2006, but has a I129 approval notice till April 2005, can be keep entering USA without getting it stamped in India/USA and after April 2005 he keeps on extending on 7th year extension and still use the old valid visa(until 2006).

He does have an advance parole though.. Also, I heard that State Dept doesnt validate the visa 2/3 months before expiration.

Correct me if I am missing anything.

Want GC Soon :)
 
Want GC Soon said:
Jharkhandi Can you answer this:


A quick question. If a person has a visa stamped until 2006, but has a I129 approval notice till April 2005, can be keep entering USA without getting it stamped in India/USA and after April 2005 he keeps on extending on 7th year extension and still use the old valid visa(until 2006).

He does have an advance parole though.. Also, I heard that State Dept doesnt validate the visa 2/3 months before expiration.

Correct me if I am missing anything.

Want GC Soon :)
Click to expand...
If person has AP - no need to get H1b stamped. And as always you are right in your understanding.
 
Thanks JK..

I guess you are pulling my leg, saying that my understanding is always right.. I always wanted to have a second opinion with you before I do something..

Want GC Soon :)
 
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