Status of H1 Visa

[karthihere]

Hi,

I have one of my friends, who was working for a company in the east coast on H1 visa until July 2003. He went back to India in July 03 and has got a job offer from a different company now.

As per the visa papers, it is valid until 2005. But he is not sure if the previous employer cancelled the H1 or not. Is there any way to check if the visa is valid or not?

Any information would be of great help.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks,
Karthik

 

[jaxen2]

No way to check.

 

[karthihere]

Can he apply for Visa Transfer?

Can he apply for Visa Transfer? Will that create any problems for subsequent visa renewals / applications if found that the old H1 has been cancelled by the sponsor?

Which is the best way to proceed now -
1) To apply for a H1 transfer?
2) To apply for a new H1B application?

Thanks for your help.
Karthik

 

[jaxen2]

Since he is in India, new H1 is the safest bet. H1 transfer and new H1 approval takes the same time(for approval)
For H1 transfer he needs recent paystubs from old company which is not possible to produce now, so H1 transfer will be rejected anyway. Think Long Term.