H1 Stamping in India - To go or not?

[smuggymba]

Hi All,

I have a valid visa till 2010 from Company A and currently work for Company B - I have the approval notice till 2011.

I'm going to India in december and I have been told that since I have a valid visa and an approval notice, I don't need to go for stamping.

I have some questions:

1.) My friends HR told him that you dont need to go for stamping as long as the visa from old company has not been cancelled. Generally companies do cancel petitions once an employee leaves them.

What if my visa is still valid but my old employer cancels my old petition?

2.) I'm planning to visit UK next year in summer for personal visit. Does it make sense to get stamping in such a case this december so that I can go to UK with no issues next year?

Plz help.

[shervin143]

1.) My friends HR told him that you dont need to go for stamping as long as the visa from old company has not been cancelled. Generally companies do cancel petitions once an employee leaves them.

What if my visa is still valid but my old employer cancels my old petition?

>>>>> Did you read the FAQ? The employer can only cancel the petition, not your visa. As long as your H1B visa is valid, you can use it to travel to U.S (along with Company B's valid petition).


2.) I'm planning to visit UK next year in summer for personal visit. Does it make sense to get stamping in such a case?

>>>>> You mean, getting stamped in UK? Sure, why not?

[smuggymba]

Thanks for the reply.

Is the visa still valid even if the petition is cancelled?

I'll be going to UK next June and don't want to get into a mess of appyling visa there in UK. Since i'm going to India next month - does it make sense to get visa stamping now so that there are no "future travel issues".

[shervin143]

Is the visa still valid even if the petition is cancelled?

>>>>> Yes. Read FAQ


I'll be going to UK next June and don't want to get into a mess of appyling visa there in UK.

>>>>> As long as your H1B visa is valid when you return back from U.K, you are good. If not, you need to get it stamped.


Since i'm going to India next month - does it make sense to get visa stamping now so that there are no "future travel issues".

>>>>> Not necessary. But if you want, you can get it stamped as per your new petition till 2011.

[smuggymba]

Will there be a problem if I go to UK next year after my visa is expired. Basically, Can I get visa stamping in London or does it have to be the home country?

[shervin143]

Yes, you can get it stamped in U.K.

Will there be a problem if I go to UK next year after my visa is expired. Basically, Can I get visa stamping in London or does it have to be the home country?

[txh1b]

You have to check with the London embassy if they process Third Country Nationals. If not, you have to go to home country unless the visa is still valid which can be used to enter.

[smuggymba]

Thanks txh1b and congrats for scoring 10K+.