H1B, H4 Visa

I am a Canadian PR who is currently working with a Canadian employer. Up till end of 2022, I was working with a US employer on an H1B visa. I got a new job with another US employer who filed an H1B transfer in Consular processing. This is my timeline:
1. Got a visa appointment for October 6 at Calgary Consulate
2. Interview lasted around a minute and they asked me if it was my first H1B, how long have I been in the US, and my US masters degree. They said my photo was not up to mark and asked me to get a new photo and submit it by 3 PM.
3. I got a new US visa photo and submitted it to the consulate.
4. Later in the day, my visa status changed to 'Approved'

I am now waiting for the next update on when the visa is issued and dispatched. Will keep everyone updated.

I'm currently on an F1 OPT STEM extension that expires in Feb 2025. My approved H1B, obtained via consular processing, will be revoked due to layoffs in mid-November. I then have a 120-day grace period to secure another job or leave the US. My husband's employer is willing to apply for my H4 and H4 EAD.

I have questions for three different scenarios:

Scenario 1: I'm curious to know if I find a new job within this grace period, would I need to go through the H1B lottery process again if the new employer is willing to sponsor my H1B?

Scenario 2: If the new employer isn't willing, my plan is to switch to H4 EAD. I understand H4 is typically approved first, followed by H4 EAD a few months later. If I apply for H4 and H4 EAD together with a change of status effective six months from November (around April 10th), does that mean my visa changes from F1 to H4 on April 10th, and my EAD also starts the same day? Or will there be a delay in receiving the EAD, leaving me stuck on H4?

Scenario 3: Lastly, if I don't secure a job within the F1 grace period ending mid-March and the change of status to H4 is effective from April 10th, what would be my visa status in the interval from mid-March to April 10th?

Really appreciate if someone could help me with answers to these queries!

I am in 7th year in the USA with L1-A ( valid till Feb'2024 ) and my H1B was selected in this year's (2023) second-round lottery. My company filed H1B petition with "Change of Status" (L1-A to H1B). Now USCIS has denied the petition because I have already crossed 6 years.
 
I have approved I-140 (EB3) and the priority date is 03-21-2021.
 
What are the options to retain the selected lottery? I don't want to go for another round of lottery next year.
 
Can I file a fresh/refile petition with "Consulate" instead of "Change of Status"? And I can go back to my home country next year to get the stamp.
Do we need a new LCA if we want to refile?

I had my H1B visa interview in Chennai on December 9, 2022, for Consular processing. During the interview, the consular officer asked me about my employer, job details, and work location. After the interview, I was issued a white slip, and the officer mentioned that they would need some additional processing time.

Here's the catch: I haven't received any further communication or updates on my visa status for over 9 months, despite multiple follow-ups with both my employer and myself. No additional documents were requested during this period.

A bit of background: I previously utilized Day 1 CPT and returned to India. I was working on F1 OPT and CPT from 2017 to 2019.

I'm feeling a bit uncertain about the situation and would appreciate any insights or advice from anyone who has been through a similar experience or has knowledge about the next steps I should consider.

I had my visa interview in chennai counsulate. Interview went fine asked for my Company details, salary and 797 copy. VO had a question on after the last stamped date which ended in 2020 why there is a gap. I mentioned I was in US and had an approval from 2020 to 2023 and since job changed another approval from new company in 2022 which is the latest one. VO typed in something and said there needs to be an update in the system and gave me 221g and kept the passport. When I asked if it is approved VO mentioned it is in Administrative processing and would take 2 days to update and should get the passport in week and a half and doesnot see any issue in the approval.

Since it is 221g just worried, anyone had similar experience

Last month I was arrested for DUI and charges got dropped to OWVI(Operating While Visibly Impaired) , I'm on probation for 1 Year till june 2024, I paid my fines and done with community services and giving ETG drug tests every week. I got permission from court for the travel (4 weeks for my wedding). I'm on H1B work visa. will there be any problem while coming back with CPB offices at the time of re-entering in to US?

Thanks in advance!

Hello all,

Received yellow slip stating that "Submit primary applicants current stamped valid visa" while we went for the inperson interview. I went with my kids for H4 stamping. My husband has a different date of interview. How to submit?

Hi ,

I'm on H1B and have drop box for myself and my son on one day and my spouse(H4) has drop box appointment the next day .
Will there be any issue for H4 stamping becoz of this ?

Please let me know if anyone faced similar issue .

Thanks

Hello,

My h1b visa got issued today. When I check the status on ceac website it reads as following
"The consular section has completed processing your application and your visa has been issued. If you do not receive your passport and visa within 10 working days, please contact the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application. If at any time additional information is discovered that indicates you may no longer be eligible for a visa, the U.S. government may revoke your visa. See Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act". Do people get this kind of note often? What are the additional checks after visa is issued?

Thanks

Hi All, Below is the situation.

Current h1b visa stamp valid until Aug 15th 2023.

New i 797 extension approval valid from - aug 16th 2023 to 2026

I have travel plan to India in month of May 2023 and was able to schedule drop box appointment for May 4th 2023

A) As my new i797 approval notice is valid from Aug 16th 2023 and if i go for stamping now, will i be able to enter us before Aug 16th 2023 or should i wait until Aug 16th to enter us?
B) if it dont go for stamping and decide to enter us on existing visa stamp which is valid until Aug 15th 2023, will it be okay and will cbp officer extend my I94 based on new i797 valid dates?

Any suggestion would be very helpful
Thank you!