Why waste money... on H1 if have AP

[will_get_there]

Hi

My H1 visa stamp has expired for more than a year now. I recently filed my 485/EAD/AP applications with TSC. Hopefully I will get the AP and travel to India sometime next year.

I still intend to work on H1 which is valid till 2005 October ( only stamp has expired).

If I go to India with AP and come back and keep working with same company, in India should I get the new H1 visa stamped still ? Why waste so many dollars in application fees ? I can keep using the AP for all travel, isin't it ?

will_get_there

 

[guju]

Having H1 visa saves the trouble of renewing AP every year.
As you know AP costs > $110 including the mailling charges and everything.

You also have to go through the hassel of waiting for a long time to get your AP, and so most of the time you will end up applying for an AP 4-6 months before your current AP expires.

If your 6 years of H1 is getting expired, then AP is a better way to go since you will have to renew your H1 every year too, but if you have more than 2 years of H1 remaining, then you might wanna get the Visa stamp instead of renewing AP 2 times in 2 years.

Also if your AP is expired, and you are waiting for a new AP, and some immediate travel needs come up, you will have to go through the hassel of getting an emergency AP.

Plus also at the airport, they could take you in for secondry inspection if you re-enter on AP, as compared to re-entering on H/L

 

[armie]

I think you won't be fingerprinted at airport if you enter on AP
since AP is not a Visa.