Is stamping mandatory for H4 to F1 COS when H4 is already stamped?

[sarangjain]

Hi, I was on H4 dependent visa. My visa is stamped on my passport until Sept 30, 2017. I changed my visa status from H4 to F1 in Jan 2017 when I was in the US. I have the approval notice from USCIS. I am required to visit India for 2 weeks next month. Do I need a F1 visa stamping to return to United States? (I already have valid H4 stamp till Sept.)

[newacct]

You need to get an F1 visa if you want to enter the US into F1 status. Otherwise if you enter with an H4 visa, you will enter into H4 status.

[sarangjain]

Can anyone who has actually entered in US on H4 visa when F1 was approved comment?

[inadmissible]

You can return on a H-4 visa foil, be granted admitted into H-4 status, then apply for change of status to F-1. Otherwise, you need to apply for a F-1 visa foil at the consulate if you wanted to be granted admission as F-1 (say, for the Duration of Status benefits). Schedule your consular visit ahead of time