H1 Visa Stamping question

[reachsidhu]

This is my situation, was wondering if you could provide any advice on this.

I recently shifted jobs in US and i got the following forms from USCIS

1. 2 pages of I 797 A, the first page had an I-94 attached to it

2. 1 page of I 797 C

I lost the page 1 of I 797 A form(original) alone which had the new I 94 attached to it. I still have a copy of the page 1 , page 2 original and I 797 C original with me

My question is i am travelling to India early next year and i have to get my visa stamped

1. Will i have any problems when i leave US as i don't have the new I 94 attached to my I 797 A but the I 94 number on my passport and this new I 94 is the same and the I 94 in my passport expired in May 2012

2. Will i require the original I 797 A when i go for my stamping to Chennai consulate or a copy of the same would work or I 797 C original would work.

Thanks for your time. Please let me know

Thanks,

Sidharth Mohan

[pontevecchio]

Since they consult PIMS you will be fine with a copy.

[dsp236]

I think you need original form & they will check during interview.

Talk to your company lawyer / attorney & request a duplicate form.

[NewH1-B]

HI sidhardth

In your case . You will not have any problem while leaving US. But i definitely see this as an issue during your stamping .

[reachsidhu]

If i need to submit I 824 and get a duplicate copy, can i apply by myself or go through my companies attorney.

I am trying to avoid paying attorney fees.

Thanks for your reply

[pontevecchio]

You do not need the original copy.

[reachsidhu]

Hello ponte,

Are you really sure I don't need an original to get my stamping in chennai consulate?

I have original of I 797 C and also a copy of I 797A.

I am really worried, when I sent an email to chennai consulate they are saying it depends on the consular officer and they always encourage to carry the original.

Pease advice

[reachsidhu]

Can someone please advice? I am really confused and getting different feedback from different members :-(

[pontevecchio]

That is the penalty for depending on a forum for specific answers. In view of PIMS your copy will suffice. Even if you had the original and PIMS did not reflect it your visa will be denied. " Carry with You to the Interview:

• Your valid passport and previously issued passports
  
• The DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
  
• VFS appointment letter
  
• H, L, and other petition-based visa applicants may bring copies of the I-797, I-129 and other petition-related documents" Why will you not bother to read the above instructions from the Chennai consulate website?
  

[reachsidhu]

Thanks a bunch ponte, you made my day !

Happy new year