Visa officer wrote "WOP" on my H1B visa

[Narinder]

Hi,
Whlie I was being interview for B1 Visa, Embassy officer asked about my H1B visa. I told that because of certain family issues, I coudnt join that company ( who processed my H1B Visa). Even though, I got my B1 Visa stamped but officer wrote "WOP" on my H1B visa.
I want to know, does that means my h1b cancelled. If yes, then is there any way to retain it. I donot want to loose my H1B because I was planning to move to US on h1b at end of this year.
Please reply.

[txh1b]

I am guessing it means "Withdrawal of petition". Unless your employer cancels the H1b, your ability to get on H1b still remains. If the visa were to be canceled, it would have got the Canceled without prejudice stamp.

You could have clarified it at the interview. You can ask the CBP after entering US at the deferred inspection office if the visa is still valid. (Don't ask at POE CBP)

[Narinder]

Thanks a lot for your reply. Will you clarify what is POE CBP? Is there any way in India to know the validity of my visa.

[txh1b]

https://www.immihelp.com/us-immigration-abbreviations-acronyms/

The visa is generally valid. A person is allowed to have B1/B2 and H1b visa at the same time as per the law. Did the Vo just write WOP or did he write big letters across the H1b visa?

[Narinder]

Yes, "WOP" has been written in big letters across the visa

[Narinder]

If I am not wrong it is "CWOP" ( coudn't intrepret letter 'C'). And its written in Capital letters across my visa.

[txh1b]

It means the visa is canceled. It is Canceled with out prejudice. You should have told you plan on using it at a later date. CWOP means there is nothing wrong that you did that made them cancel the visa. You can reapply again for the H1b when you are ready as long as the H1b petition is valid.

[Narinder]

Thanks a lot.

[Narinder]

"Reapplying it again" u mean in April month next year with a fresh application write ? And again going through that bad lottery process.
Won't my current cancelled visa would give any help.

[txh1b]

The cancellation of visa does not mean your ability to get on H1b is gone. Your new employer can apply for a H1b petition as long as you have remaining time on your H1b or the current petition if valid, can still be used if you are joining that employer. Search for "remainder option" and go through that thread. Once counted in the cap, you need not wait for a new cap/lottery again.

http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40595

http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41468

[waitin_toolong]

even if you decide to go with another employer you dont have to wait for lottery, you have been counted against the cap once in the last 6 years. but will have to get a new stamp.

[Narinder]

Thanks all for your support. My employer who processed my H1B Visa wants me to join him. He said that he would consult his lawyer and tell me what to do now.

[txh1b]

There is nothing that you need to do now other than go for another H1b visa stamping when you are ready to come and work for your employer if your petition is still valid.

[Narinder]

It sounds good, but scared about visa stamping againg. Dont know what type of questions Visa officer would ask?

[saurabhyou]

CWOP Written on H1B visa

Hi
I have stamped my H1b Visa in 2008 after that i went to embassy for B1 Visa stamping.there it asked me why you didn't went on H1b Visa i told them due to recession my employer didn't turned me up.so that's the reason for not travelling on H1b.At that time consultate has written CWOP on my H1B Visa and issued me B1 visa.
I donot know what exactly CWOP means.Later my employer is calling me on H1B Visa.
I have planned my trip for US but on delhi airport at immigration they refused to go to US as CWOP is written on my H1b Visa.they told me to check with embassy people and verify about ur visa

Please help me what should be done in this case as my petition is valid till 2011 but my visa is CWOP
it means my visa is cancelled and i have to reapply for H1B Cap or i have to give H1b Interview again.Please help me out