Questions regarding H1B stamping (departed U.S. when H1-B petition was pending)

[bhartiya007]

I am currently working on my OPT-STEM extension. I traveled to India when my H1B was being processed. My H1-B was approved when I got back to America. My attorney tells me that I need an actual non-immigrant H1B visa stamp issued by a U.S. consulate abroad in order to assume H1-B status....

a. Does this mean that I am on the F1/OPT status till I get the H1-B stamped ?

b. Will my H1-B NOT come into affect until I get the visa stamped? What is the procedure for getting this Visa stamped ?

c. Company A got my H1-B issued for me. Can I change to company B before I get the H1-B visa stamped ? Can I get the H1-B transferred even though it hasn't come into affect ?

d. What are the pros and cons of changing companies before I get an H1-B stamped on my passport ?

I would appreciate it if you could answer one or all of these questions.

Thank you!

[BenjaminTK]

Looks like your H1 was applied as consular processing than COS (Change of Status). Please confirm that with attorney.