Travel during H1B petition

[2prash8]

My company has filed for my H1B this year and I would like to know if I could travel to places such as Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Virgin Islands during my visa processing period or after approval. When I asked my lawyer she said it would not be advisable since they sometimes randomly check at the immigration center at the airport and issue a new I-94. This doesn't make sense to me as the above listed places are either states or territories of the United States.

Could you please clarify this information for me?

Thanks.

[JoeF]

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Virgin Islands are all places in the US. There is no problem traveling there. It is the same as traveling to New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles.

[toashishmantri]

lawyer is crazy or what ???

[2prash8]

Thank you.

[vijisarath]

Your lawyer is right, I would recommend not to plan for Puerto Rico if your H1b is on process, we got back yesterday from PR and we were asked to show VISA documents at boarding point. 1st I showed my DL which she denied and allowed us only after showing our Indian password and Valid EAD card (if not probably a valid I94 in your case), this happens on a random basis.