L1B Visa stamping in India in Q1 2019, I 797 and I129-S renewal/ext recently approved

[Sudhish]

Hello,

Can someone please share their recent experience and current situation of L1b visa stamping in India? I am working in the US from last 3 years and recently got my Form I-539 blanket petition and I-797 extension approved which is valid till Feb 2020. My L1b visa stamping was valid only until March 2018. I am thinking to go to India with my wife for 2-3 weeks in early 2019 and have following concerns.

1) Is it safe to travel to India considering that I have to go through stamping process again to re-enter in the US?

2) Are there chances that visa officer can deny my visa stamping considering the current situation? Have there been cases recently where L1-B visa stamping gets rejected even with recently approved I-539 and 797 approved is in hand?

3) I believe I cannot travel Europe or China as a layover country due to my expired US visa, is that right? Can I travel through Singapore or Hong Kong without restriction?

4) My initial visa was applied as L1B blanket and I believe my recent extension was applied as such. Can I use drop box facility instead of going through an interview at consulate? If yes, does that help to make sure that I will get visa stamping?

What are the options do I have in case visa officer rejects the stamping for any particular reason? Also, I would like to tell you guys that recently 2 employers applied Change of status for me (not my current employer) from L1 to H1 which got denied after getting picked in the lottery due to various reasons from my employer's side, is that considered for L1-b visa stamping in India? Thank you guys for your help.

[Libra_14]

1) Is it safe to travel to India considering that I have to go through stamping process again to re-enter in the US?

Should be fine. Risk of visa rejection is always there though.

2) Are there chances that visa officer can deny my visa stamping considering the current situation? Have there been cases recently where L1-B visa stamping gets rejected even with recently approved I-539 and 797 approved is in hand?

Yes, it happens.

3) I believe I cannot travel Europe or China as a layover country due to my expired US visa, is that right? Can I travel through Singapore or Hong Kong without restriction?

You can travel few cities in Europe for transit purpose. Only few cities have this restriction, where you need to go out of airport to change terminal. Check with individual airlines, if they need transit visa.

4) My initial visa was applied as L1B blanket and I believe my recent extension was applied as such. Can I use drop box facility instead of going through an interview at consulate? If yes, does that help to make sure that I will get visa stamping?

Yes you can use drop box, but I would suggest to go through interview - dropbox will take 10-15 days & what if you get passport back without visa & requesting for interview? For a short visit, I would suggest to attend interview.

What are the options do I have in case visa officer rejects the stamping for any particular reason? Also, I would like to tell you guys that recently 2 employers applied Change of status for me (not my current employer) from L1 to H1 which got denied after getting picked in the lottery due to various reasons from my employer's side, is that considered for L1-b visa stamping in India? Thank you guys for your help.

No, all visas are evaluated on its own merits & has nothing to do with earlier rejections - though the reason of rejection (if related to your profile) could have impact.