Kolkata Consulate - Visa Approved, but did not return I797

[con_air]

Hi,

Here is my case; I have attended h1b visa interview on July 11th, the vo took my documents and put my case under additional administrative processing.

On July 20th, I received a mail to submit my passport. I went to Kolkata on 26th and submitted my passport.

I received my passport with visa stamped after few days, however I never received my original I797 which the Visa Officer kept with him initially

I have sent a mail to kolkata consulate regarding this, but I felt its better to have the opinion of the readers of this forum

[con_air]

Any replies please??

[sanjivvinaik]

Floow up with consulate, you should get your approved i797 back as you may need it in future.

[leo_maverick]

If they have it they will post it back to you. If they miss place it, then they will reply back saying that they won't have it and support themselves that they don't keep applicants original documents with them.

Same thing happened to one of my buddy..I know it stinks but we have no choice..he traveled back of US last week without original I-797,luckily he was not asked to show I-797 by CBP officer at the port of entry..

FYI- it takes about 2-3 months to get a duplicate I-797 from USCIS.

[vkgurram]

You can always ask your company's imigration attorney to apply for a duplicate (I 824) which costs your company an additional 425 dollars. Also, it takes some time depending on the processing center where your I 797 was processed and approved.