Hello,
I am currently on a valid H-4 visa. After I was laid off, I moved to India (Sep '02). I started working in India in Oct '02. I returned to the US for a two week period in Dec '02.
My H-1 visa started in Jan '98 and ran till Jul '01. Following this I have been on H-4. Since my total 'H-time' of 5+ yrs (Jan '98 to date) will be counted against my allotted 6 yrs, I would need to reset my H-1 time.
My questions:
1. Now in order to ensure my next H-1 visa would be valid for three + three years, when do I have to return to the US? Would it be Sep '02 (when my time out of the US started), Oct '02 (from when I can show work experience proving I was out of the US and was working) or Dec '02 (the date I was last in the US).
2. Is it ok to have a valid H-4 visa during this time? (My wife is still working in the US).
3. Also, I believe my visa stampings (showing exits from the US) and my work experience are needed to prove I was out of the country. Are any other documents needed?
Thanks for your responses.
I am currently on a valid H-4 visa. After I was laid off, I moved to India (Sep '02). I started working in India in Oct '02. I returned to the US for a two week period in Dec '02.
My H-1 visa started in Jan '98 and ran till Jul '01. Following this I have been on H-4. Since my total 'H-time' of 5+ yrs (Jan '98 to date) will be counted against my allotted 6 yrs, I would need to reset my H-1 time.
My questions:
1. Now in order to ensure my next H-1 visa would be valid for three + three years, when do I have to return to the US? Would it be Sep '02 (when my time out of the US started), Oct '02 (from when I can show work experience proving I was out of the US and was working) or Dec '02 (the date I was last in the US).
2. Is it ok to have a valid H-4 visa during this time? (My wife is still working in the US).
3. Also, I believe my visa stampings (showing exits from the US) and my work experience are needed to prove I was out of the country. Are any other documents needed?
Thanks for your responses.