Query regarding H1B visa stamping needed even when the current stamp is valid ?

[saurabh142]

I wanted to seek your opinion, help and guidance on the scenario which I am facing with my H1B visa and any help is highly appreciated.

So, here is how my situation stands :-

My current visa stamp is valid till July 2016
The current I-94 is also valid till July 2016

Secondly, this visa petition was for Location A and after landing to US my work location changed to Location B for which I did the Visa Amendment and during the amendment process, I got a petition approved which was valid only till May 2015

Thirdly, because my petition was expiring, I went for Visa Extension process to get an extension of my visa and already got an approved petition till 2018

So as you would have noted I have a bunch of dates

I need your guidance to understand whether I would be needing to get a new visa stamping when I travel to India or will my current visa stamp hold good to travel back to US ?

Note : My passport expires early 2017, so if I don't need to go for stamping this time around.. I would rather wait and get my passport renewed next year before I go for the stamping.

[kabkaba]

No, you don't need to apply for Visa, you can use the same existing Visa and latest approved petition to travel.

[saurabh142]

Thanks for the response appreciate it

[saurabh142]

I-94 validity - will it override the petition validity ?

No, you don't need to apply for Visa, you can use the same existing Visa and latest approved petition to travel.

A follow-up question, when I do travel to India and enter back US, what will be the ending date for the I-94 that is issued to me at the port of entry :-

1. Will that be valid till 2018 since I have the latest approved petition till 2018 ? , or

2. Will the I-94 issued, have a valid date till July 2016 (my current visa stamp valid date) ?
Also, in the case (2) , will I need to file another extension or plan to travel to India before the expiry of my current visa stamp, as the I-94 issued at port of entry would over-ride my extension petition I-94

[kabkaba]

You will have to show them the petition and make sure it matches the petition and not Visa. Ask them about it and confirm.