Travel on AP - Question

E

eadstage

Registered Users (C)
I am soon traveling overseas from US and will need to enter US with AP as my H1 visa has expired.. here are a few questions

1. While leaving the country of travel normally i have presented my H1 visa in the passport. Assume I have to submit my AP document. My AP expires end of July. I will be back before the expiration date. Is there any issue with this or something that I should be aware of?

2. Currently I am working on H1 but have EAD as well. Will I need to switch to EAD once i return?

3. Should I revalidate H1 on return?

4. Any issues on return? What doucments should I carry - besides AP, 485 application?

5. Any other tips will be helpful.

Thanks
 
I travelled to India on my AP last month. My H1 expired in august last year. I am not sure about the "exit" policy, but on return, I showed my AP documents (both copies). The officer put that in a folder and asked me to go for secondary inspection. There, another officer took my papers and went inside. He came back after 15 minutes and haded me my copy of AP and I-94 valid for one year from my date of return (...and not upto the AP valid date). So, if you come back before your AP is expired, you should get I-94 valid till next year.

EAD - You should carry it with you but show only if asked.

I am assuming you have not got your H1 renewed. If you have your H1 renewed, then the best option will be to get H1 stamped on your passport while you are in India. In that case, you need not show your AP at all at Inspection Counter.

All the Best
 
AP TRAVEL

Velamunda

I have H1 vaild for a couple of years but do not have the visa on the Passport. How much time would it take to renew it a counseler post? I will be there for a week.

thanks
 
eadstage,

I don't think a week is enough for you to be able to get your visa.

Here is the latest from immigration-law.com


Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as a standard part of visa processing. Additionally, applicants affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening at the time they submit their applications and are being advised to expect delays. The time needed for adjudication of individual cases will continue to be difficult to predict. For travelers, the need for an interview will mean additional coordination with the embassy or consulate is needed to schedule an interview appointment. We recommend that individuals build in ample time before their planned travel date when seeking to obtain a visa

We are getting reports from nonimmigrant visa applicants on the difficulties which they are experiencing because of these delays abroad. Travellers are advised to plan their trips ahead of time very carefully in order not to encounter unexpected frustration from visa processing delays abroad
 
Vellamunda:
"My H1 expired in august last year".
When you exited US, was your I-94 valid till the date you exited and did you return that at port of exit.


Thanks.
 
Yes - my I-94 was expired and was valid til Aug, 2002 when I left USA to India.

One week may not be enough to get the Visa stamped. However, I think renewal cases should be same day or next day. You may want to check with your local consulate.

All the best
 
If you have valid H1 stamped, then you don't need to use AP (...and EAD)


If you do have valid H1 stamped on your passport, then you will have to use AP (...and EAD).
 
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