A lot of Indian professionals holding H1B visas in the U.S. are grappling with a significant travel concern. If they step out of the country without a visa stamp, can they make it back?
While an approved I-797A notice confirms their H1B status, it doesn’t act as a travel document. To re-enter the U.S., they usually need to valid H1B visa stamp.
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Some are hoping to use their still-valid F1 student or B1/B2 tourist visas for re-entry. However, immigration officers might turn them away if the visa doesn’t align with the reason for their travel.
One potential workaround is Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR), which lets them travel to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days without needing a new stamp. But this option comes with strict conditions, and not everyone will qualify.
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Another route is Third Country National (TNC) processing, where travelers can get their visa stamped in Canada. However, appointments are scarce, and if their application gets denied, they could find themselves in a tough spot.
For now, getting a visa stamp is a major hurdle for H1B holders who need to travel. Until there are reforms that offer more flexibility, careful planning is the best way to dodge unexpected travel issues.
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