H1B-H4 without H1 stamping

[Parshuram Reddy]

Can anyone provide me an insight into this situation?

So I have been on H1 without a stamp in my passport but my H1 is approved and I94 is valid, If I want to change to H4 because of job status, Can I step out of the country and get stamping done for H4 without applying COS in the USA? Or I need to apply COS to get my stamping done for H4?. 

COS is taking a lot of time so was just thinking if stamping is faster!!

 

[Jc2013]

Yes, you can step out of the country and get H4 stamping instead of applying COS in USA.

I did the same back in 2018.

 

[nonstopextensions]

On 6/25/2021 at 5:35 PM, Jc2013 said:

Yes, you can step out of the country and get H4 stamping instead of applying COS in USA.

I did the same back in 2018.

 

Hi @Jc2013  ,

How to get the H4 stamping? Do we have to apply for interview in the consulate? 

Can this be done in Canada/Mexico? Or should I go back to my country (India)? 

 

[Parshuram Reddy]

On 6/25/2021 at 2:35 PM, Jc2013 said:

Yes, you can step out of the country and get H4 stamping instead of applying COS in USA.

I did the same back in 2018.

 

Thanks for the reply. So what happens to H1B?,  And when we come back we need to apply H4 EAD or move back to H1B to work again right. Is moving from H4-H1B a time taking process?. 

[Jc2013]

On 6/30/2021 at 9:02 AM, nonstopextensions said:

Hi @Jc2013  ,

How to get the H4 stamping? Do we have to apply for interview in the consulate? 

Can this be done in Canada/Mexico? Or should I go back to my country (India)? 

 

You just need to book a H4 visa interview slot and attend the interview.If approved, they will stamp your H4 visa on passport.

I have not seen any clauses on it should be done at your home country only.

I did get my stamping in India (my home country) though.

[Jc2013]

On 7/1/2021 at 12:14 PM, Parshuram Reddy said:

Thanks for the reply. So what happens to H1B?,  And when we come back we need to apply H4 EAD or move back to H1B to work again right. Is moving from H4-H1B a time taking process?. 

Your H1B will become invalid as soon as you enter USA on your H4 visa.

Yes, I applied for H4EAD and you do have option to shift to H1B as well.

As long as your employer is willing to sponsor your H1B and ready to do premium processing , you should get your H1B pretty quickly.