***Urgent---Lost Original I-797 and need to go for H1B Stamping. ***

[nipgp]

Hello,

My Employer/ Attorney has lost my I-797 original in Hurricane Sandy, and they have applied for Duplicate Approval Notice for the same, which may take X-months, I am need to visit India and need to go for stamping for H1B VISA, will there be any issue at VISA appointment & OFC appointment, if I carry copy of I-797 & Receipt of I-824 with me.

Please advice ASAP, if someone has used copy of I-797 instead of Original Copy during H1B Stamping.

Thanks in Advance.

[bharadwaj_mudigonda]

You should be good to go with the copy. They will have the details in the PIMS.

[niranjanmurthy]

If your employer applied for Duplicate you will get the Duplicate copy (which is same as original copy but instead the bottom portion of it will be overprinted as DUPLICATE) of your original I-797.

Copy(photocopy) of I-797 will not be accepted instead you can carry the Duplicate copy. I had no issues for Stamping lately.

[Harsh1143]

Hi Newbie,

 

I have exactly the same situation. I have changed my employer in Jan'15. Now I was about to leave India, my employer said they have lost the original I797. So they have applied for duplicates through I-824 form but it takes months to get the copy. I can't wait that long.

 

My Visa is still valid for another 3 months from my previous employer. I do have all the originals from them. But not sure whether I can travel with previous documents.

 

My question to you is, whether you were successful in stamping with photo copy of I-797 and I-824 receipt only?

 

Awaiting your response eagerly.

 

Thanks.