Lost Passport/Visa

[samsingla]

Hello - I recently lost my passport with H1B visa. The Visa had an expiry date of mid August(same for my petition). I have reapplied for the passport and expecting it in the next couple of weeks. I had plans to go to Canada in February but my concern is that I won't have a valid visa to enter back in the US. I checked with my company's immigration department and they said they don't recommend getting the passport stamped in Canada due to high rejection rate. Here are my questions:

1) I understand my company's concerns but the rejection rate they're talking about is the one on renewal petitions/visa. I understand that I can't say that I need a duplicate visa as there is nothing called as duplicate visa, but If I explain my case to the officer, will it make it more easy?

2) Since I do have a valid petition, can I transfer my job to a new employer. (I have copies of my visa but not the i-94)

[pontevecchio]

1. Your visa will undergo the same scrutiny as a renewal or new visa. 2. That is a different matter altogether which has no connection to the loss of your passport. Get the visa issued in your home country. Incidentally do you have a visa for Canada?