Passport stamping after H-1B approval

[fivethirds]

Hi,

I transitioned from an F-1 OPT to H-1B on Jan. 9 this year but my passport has not been stamped. I gather when I leave the US next (say, to India or Canada) I will have to get my passport stamped before reentry. Am I correct?

As a student I had an expired visa for many years (on valid I-20) simply because I never left the country. I want to know if the same rules apply for H-1B as well, namely, as long as you are working on a valid H-1B, the stamp on the passport is not necessary, unless of course you happen to leave the country.

Thanks for your help.

[SameerH1Bworker]

Yes, it is true IF YOUR EMPLOYER filed COS along with your H1B petition to change status from F1 to H1.

If employer did not file COS, then you need to leave the country & get h1b stamp.

[shandan]

Yes, you would need stamping, the next time you leave US before coming back.