L1 to H1 , can both visas be stamped and valid ?

[vikram789]

Hi ,

I am currently working for Company A on L1 visa which is valid for another 2 yrs.

Company B has filed an H1 petition (not L1- to H1 transfer , but a fresh H1) and the petition got approved on Oct 10th.

I am planning to join Company B in 4 months from now(March 2013).

I am going to india in December. My question is ,

1. Can I get my H1 stamped in December and come back to US on existing L1 .

2. Will the VISA office cancel my L1 when he stamps H1 ? I see a risk if I quit company A first and then try for H1 stamping.

3. If I get both visas stamped , and I switch the company successfully , then can I move back to company A on same L1 after some time ?

To change the immigration status , I will have to re-enter US for new I-94 and that is fine.

Thanks in advance for the answer.

[krialta]

L1 & H1 both are work permits, you could only have one type of visa stamped. If you go for H1 stamping, IO will stamp "canceled without prejudice" on your L1 visa.

[JoeF]

In principle, you can have both valid visas in your passport. Visas are entry documents only.

A lot of consulates cancel other visas when you go for visa stamping, though.