h1 to h4, is visa stamping necessary?

[Sp18]

Hi All,

 

I got my h1b visa stamped last year and is valid till August 2016, very recently i quit my job and applied for change of status to h4 which is approved already. Due to an emergency situation back home, I am in india currently and I have two questions

 

1. Can I travel to USA with my existing h1b visa stamp along with the approval notice of h4?

2. Do I need to get my h4 visa stamped?

 

Thanks in advance,

Sp

 

 

 

[jairichi]

1. No. You need to have a valid H4 visa and a copy of your spouse's I797 if you would like to enter on H4.

2. Yes.

[Sp18]

Thanks Jairichi

 

-Sp

[allurirajaramesh]

Hi, 
I got H4 Visa stamped on my passport along with my spouse in Feb 2014 and the Visa is valid till Feb 2017. I have traveled to USA in March 2014. I got new H1 starting Oct 2014 but I ahve not got any job yet. Now, I want to convert my H1 to H4. 
As I have H4 valid till Feb 2017 stamped on my passport, Can I go out and step into USA with a new I-94 at port of entry? 
What docs need to be provided apart from Spouse's H1 docs? 

Raja

[jairichi]

Hi, 

I got H4 Visa stamped on my passport along with my spouse in Feb 2014 and the Visa is valid till Feb 2017. I have traveled to USA in March 2014. I got new H1 starting Oct 2014 but I ahve not got any job yet. Now, I want to convert my H1 to H4. 

As I have H4 valid till Feb 2017 stamped on my passport, Can I go out and step into USA with a new I-94 at port of entry? 

What docs need to be provided apart from Spouse's H1 docs? 

Raja

Yes you can exit and enter US with that valid H4 visa, a copy of your spouse's I797. On safer side carry an employer verification letter and other supporting documents.

If your H1B was approved as COS in 2014 and not paid then do complain against employer with DOL. This will get your salary for all these months right from October 2014.