Travel on valid STEM, pending processing H1B

[agfx]

Hi,

 

My STEM got recently approved and my status has been extended till Sep 2015. At the same time, my employer filed for H1-B, which has been picked in the lottery and is under processing now. 

 

I want to travel to India in Sep 2014 for a week. is it possible to re-enter US before 1 Oct on STEM? Is it contingent on whether H1B decision has been received or not? If it is, what is the usual expected time to hear the decision on H1?

[rahul412]

Yes you can.

[agfx]

So I received an approval for my H1-B. I have another follow up question:

 

I intend to visit India in first week of Sept. I know I can take a stamping appointment in Sept for H1. Now I intend to travel back to US on 7 Sep. I will have a valid OPT STEM on 7 Sept. 

 

If I get H1B stamped before 7 Sep and then travel to US, can I enter US on OPT STEM? Technically, my H1B will go into effect on 1 Oct and I will have STEM till 30 Sep.

 

Does having a H1 stamp on passport invalidate my STEM? Will they stop me at port of entry if I intend to enter US on 7 Sep on F1 OPT STEM?

[agfx]

Any help on this will be appreciated.

[rahul412]

So I received an approval for my H1-B. I have another follow up question:

 

I intend to visit India in first week of Sept. I know I can take a stamping appointment in Sept for H1. Now I intend to travel back to US on 7 Sep. I will have a valid OPT STEM on 7 Sept. 

 

If I get H1B stamped before 7 Sep and then travel to US, can I enter US on OPT STEM? Technically, my H1B will go into effect on 1 Oct and I will have STEM till 30 Sep.

 

Does having a H1 stamp on passport invalidate my STEM? Will they stop me at port of entry if I intend to enter US on 7 Sep on F1 OPT STEM?

Once you enter on H1, you are no longer on F1.