H1/H4 visa stamping - Drop box

[Khushi18]

Dear friends,

 

We are in our seventh year of H1b/H4 based on approved I 140, already received EAD/AP combo, awaiting I 485. Current H1b/H4 approval valid till 09/2019. Traveling to home country, India soon. Questions we have:

 

1. Are we eligible for stamping by drop box? My husband has just changed employment in July 2016 and we have new H1/H4 approval based on new employment. Previous H1b visa stamping was for previous employer expired in June 2016. 

2. I have H1b stamp in my passport (till 03/2017) but later changed status to H4 and I do not have H4 visa stamp in my passport. Am I eligible for drop box for H4 stamping? 

3. Recently there was a significant hike in the H1 visa fees to $4500. Does it apply to us as individual applicant when we go for the stamping? To my understanding it is the extra fees to be paid my employer only. 

 

Thank you.