H1B Renewal Stamping Questions

[ds160h1b]

Hello,

 

I currently hold a H1B visa, which is valid until 2018. I plan to visit my home country in December 2016 and I have a few questions regarding the stamping procedure.

 

Background:

 

- My prior H1B visa (valid until September 2016) was stamped during my last visit home in 2012.

 

- I moved to a different company in 2015, and my H1B visa was renewed for another three years until 2018.

 

Questions:

 

- Do I have to attend the visa interview again for stamping? I'm sensing the answer would be a Yes but would like to confirm.

 

- If yes, do I have to go for biometric?Are there any waivers to biometric since I am in the same visa class (but with different petitioners)?

 

Thanks!

[rahul412]

If your current H1 visa is valid then no need of new H1 visa.

[ds160h1b]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I already have a visa that was renewed since last year which is valid until 2018, but haven't gotten a stamp. 

[rahul412]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I already have a visa that was renewed since last year which is valid until 2018, but haven't gotten a stamp. 

Your stamp is your visa, not your 797.

If your H1 stamp on your Passport is valid then no need of new H1 stamp.

[ds160h1b]

Let me re-phrase my question.

 

For my travel to my home country this December, do I need to get a visa (stamp) since I changed companies recently and the older company's visa expires in Sept of this year? Also do I need to go for biometric exam this time too?

[ds160h1b]

Let me re-phrase my question.

 

For my travel to my home country this December, do I need to get a visa (stamp) since I changed companies recently and the older company's visa expires in Sept of this year? Also do I need to go for biometric exam this time too?

[rahul412]

Let me re-phrase my question.

 

For my travel to my home country this December, do I need to get a visa (stamp) since I changed companies recently and the older company's visa expires in Sept of this year? Also do I need to go for biometric exam this time too?

Like I said before, If you don't have a valid H1 visa on your passport on the day of your travel then you need a new H1 visa stamp on your Passport. Is this clear?