visa stamping without original I-797

[vrbhu]

Hi All,

I did a quick search but couldn't get a very straight forward thread which answers my question.

Here is the situation.

I am out of US and got the approval of H1 today. Is it possible to go for an stamping interview wihout the original copy of i-797? has anyone tried this.

Since I am out of US getting the physical copy will take around 2-2.5 weeks and my employer doesn't want to wait that long.

I am currently in singapore.

any one have any similar experiences?

[ashukla]

Original I797 is required for the principal applicant visa stamping, it means that you must need it. Not sure about singapore consulate but in general it is one of the required doc for H1b stamping.

[hope22]

Hi All,

I did a quick search but couldn't get a very straight forward thread which answers my question.

Here is the situation.

I am out of US and got the approval of H1 today. Is it possible to go for an stamping interview wihout the original copy of i-797? has anyone tried this.

Since I am out of US getting the physical copy will take around 2-2.5 weeks and my employer doesn't want to wait that long.

I am currently in singapore.

any one have any similar experiences?

No. You have to have original I-797 man, dont take chances, why dont your employer/Attorney Use UPS or DHL it is faster.

[vrbhu]

@ashukla @hope22 : thanks a lot for making this information clear to me.

I will wait for the original copy to arrive.

hope this will clarify to someone else as well if he/she has simillar doubts.

[skotrik]

My employer sent me all the docs in FedEx, I got everything in 3 days (including weekend).

[VN1239]

Hi,

Since then they are maintaining PIMS database, no longer we need to carry original I797 (copy of I797 is ok) for Visa stamping.....

I recently got US visa stamping in Canada without original I797. Below is the email I got after I booked appointment.

List of Documents

• To verify petition approval, the applicant will be required to present the I-129 petition receipt number.
  

If the applicant is a professional truck driver seeking a visa to drive routes in the United States, the applicant should bring:

• A Canadian Truck driver's license.
  
• Letter of employment from the trucking company and recent pay slips.
  
• Proof of ties to Canada.
  

• Original or copy of Notice of Approval Form I-797A or I-797B.
  
• Copy of approved LCA if applicable.
  
• If previously under J-1 in the United States, the applicant needs waiver of 2 year foreign residence rule.
  
• Evidence of qualifications must be originals or certified copies. Consular officers in Canada may refuse to issue a visa to H-1B applicants if their education and/or work experience is solely or predominantly from a country other than the United States or Canada, such applicants are strongly advised to apply in the country where they were educated and/or performed the qualifying work experience.
  

[vrbhu]

@VN1239: you are absolutely correct. this is what my attorney told me as well. but when i called the local consulate they said that oroginal I797 is must :)...they sometimes do not follow that they write:)..

[h1bworker007]

so what is the truth? do we need the original or we don't??? please clarify