L1B to H1B

[Elgabo]

My L1B visa is expiring on Nov 1, 2010 and my employer applied on my behalf for a H1B visa that I should be getting by Oct 2010. I am currently in USA under my L1B.

My questions is once received the approval notice for the H1B, do I need to go to my home country (Venezuela) to get the visa stamped on my passport or can I just go to any consulate in Mexico? My current L1B visa once renewed back on Dec 2007 in Matamoros, Mexico.

My lawyer is recommending me go to home country because is a change from L1 to H1B visa, but the cost to go to Venezuela is 5 times more than going to Mexico, without taking into the account the extra risk that represent going to Venezuela due to the current political situation down there.

Any help would really help!
Thanks,

[sk4ih]

If new H1 is files as COS (change-of-status), then you don't need visa; you'll will be on H1 from Oct 1st.

Else, you better go to home country for visa.

But if you have good reasons not to go to home country, you can also try in Mexico.

Read some experiences at http://www.immihelp.com/experience/