Visa Renewal v/s. New Visa

[appusheth]

My visa stamp on passport expired 9/30/08 and for my wife (h4) it expired on 9/01/08.

We are going to India for 4-5 months in Sept end. So will go for interview in Oct. The visa would have expired by more than 12 months then. So in the visa interview form we have to NO where they ask 'Are you applying for the same class of visa that is valid or expired withing the last 12 months'

This means our case will not be a visa renewal case.

What is the difference in renewal and new visa? Is is hard to get new visa v/s. renewal stamping? How does the procedure and preparation differ?

Also, we plan to be there for 4-5 months and then come back in Jan/Feb 2010. If we get visa stamping, will that pose a problem when we land in US at immigration counter? They will surely ask why was I away for 4-5 months. My employer is granting me time to be there for this period and work remotely. I have permission from my employer to work remotely for few months.

An early response to both questions is appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[rmzm]

In the same boat.. not sure what is renewal and non-renewal.

Procedure still remains the same. Just take all the documents with you. Problems at POE are at best rumours as all I have seen people talking of some distant friend or relative etc etc but nothing concrete.

All in all, if you have a valid Job and have never been out of status i.e got paid all the time in US, get the documents, employment letter from the company, paystubs, W2s, returns filed, just be confident and go for the interview. I would say just take an appointment for the inteview as soon as you land there; just in case you get stuck in administrative issues.. you have time to stay back so less worries.