Need for Re-Stamping H1B In Case of Change of Employer

[pm87]

Dear all

 

I have a valid H1B visa, till 2017, stamped on my passport. I recently changed my employer and got a new approval notice, 2 weeks ago. 

I want to make a short trip to India, between the 2 jobs. 

 

My questions are: 

 

1) Do I have to get the visa re-stamped despite of having a valid visa?

2) Is the second stamping similar as the first one - a 2 day process with biometrics and interview?

 

Please help me out.

 

Good luck to all of you with your immigration issues.

 

Thanks and Regards

[pontevecchio]

You can use the existing visa and the new petition to come back.

[shekar11#]

You don't need a visa for travel purpose. Carry your new I797 whenever you travel.

Yes, its the same process.

[pm87]

Thanks a lot for your reply.

 

I called the US Embassy in Delhi and they told me that I would need stamping. They directed me to their website's FAQ section which states that in this case I would need to get a new visa issued. Here's that link to Q13 -

 

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-gen-faq.asp#qlistwork13

 

Could you please let me know if I am misinterpreting it. 

 

Thanks and Regards

[ramakrishnan.sankar]

Hi,

 

please let me know what we need to do either to go for restamping, as i am in same situation.

 

Thanks

Ram

[pontevecchio]

The referenced Hyperlink is WRONG. The Op should consult with a law firm unless he is happy to get another visa. While it is possible to get a new visa for every new H1 employer it is not mandatory or necessary and is part of the AC21 rules.

[sateeshk27]

Hi,

I have a same question but for H4, do H4 also can enter US with Valid stamp, where in H1b employer got changed and both H1 and H4 got latest I797 approval notices, what are the documents they need to carry.

 

Regards.