Currently in India ; have H1B ; want to visit US

[catchaparna]

Hi ,

I was in the US from 2005-2008 on F1 visa ; came back to india and got my
H1B(valid stamped in Nov'08 , but did not go back to the US until now.

However, I would like to visit the US for 3 weeks this Dec . Now -

* do i have to get a visitor visa or can i use the existing H1B ?
* If I will have to get a visitor visa , will my H1B be cancelled ? (Which I obviously do not want to , because , I may go back to the US in 2010 or so ..)

Please advice accordingly..

Thanks,
Aparna

[orion]

*Yes, you need a visitors visa. Entering on H1 will be illegal if you dont intend to work.

*It is upto the consulate, but you can request not to cancel the H1 and from many posts in the forum they may not cancel it.