L1B to H4 COS. Does my wife need to go to India to get a new H4 stamp?

[vicky1988]

Currently, my wife is on L1B visa and I am on H1B visa. My wife is planning to convert to H4 dependent visa. I have the following question after COS is approved:

1) Does she needs to go to India to get a new stamp?
2) Or She needs to get a new H4 dependent visa for re-entry into US?

[raghvi]

Currently, my wife is on L1B visa and I am on H1B visa. My wife is planning to convert to H4 dependent visa. I have the following question after COS is approved:

1) Does she needs to go to India to get a new stamp?
2) Or She needs to get a new H4 dependent visa for re-entry into US?

Visa and Status are two different things. If COS is filed and approved, your wife's status changes from L1 to H4, and she should follow H4 laws and is eligible for H4 related benefits.

Visa is required only during entry into US, so she can get H4 stamped the next time she goes out of US.

This is my opinion not legal advice.