Which I-94 to surrender while departure asap

[akila]

Hi Gurus,
This site is a very helpful site. Can anyone help me asap please?

I am having my I797 Approval notice (H1B) valid until SEP 2009. My I-94 white card expired by Aug 2007.

1) When I am departing U.S. in May 2008 - Should I need to surrender my expired I-94 White card and valid I-94 portion in the bottom of my I797 - H1B approval notice together?

2) While returning back new I-94 card will be issued which will be valid until Sep 2009. If I want to go out of U.S before Sep 2009, I can surrender my new i-94 white card which will be valid until Sep 2009. (I wont have the lower portion of I797 Approval notice - I-94 anymore as I surrendered during my departure in May 2008). There wont be any problem. Is that correct?

3) During my earlier visits to India, I never surrendered I-94 - lower portion of I797 even when my white I-94 card was expired at the time of leaving U.S. I never had any issue at POE. Is it a new requirement to surrender both white I-94 Expired card and valid I-94 at the bottom of the I797 Approval notice?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Akil

[Subramanya]

This site is a very helpful site. Can anyone help me asap please?

I am having my I797 Approval notice (H1B) valid until SEP 2009. My I-94 white card expired by Aug 2007.

1) When I am departing U.S. in May 2008 - Should I need to surrender my expired I-94 White card and valid I-94 portion in the bottom of my I797 - H1B approval notice together?

---- Yes, it is better for the records of USCIS

2) While returning back new I-94 card will be issued which will be valid until Sep 2009. If I want to go out of U.S before Sep 2009, I can surrender my new i-94 white card which will be valid until Sep 2009. (I wont have the lower portion of I797 Approval notice - I-94 anymore as I surrendered during my departure in May 2008). There wont be any problem. Is that correct?

---- OK, you are right

3) During my earlier visits to India, I never surrendered I-94 - lower portion of I797 even when my white I-94 card was expired at the time of leaving U.S. I never had any issue at POE. Is it a new requirement to surrender both white I-94 Expired card and valid I-94 at the bottom of the I797 Approval notice?

---- This is not a new requirement or any such thing. It is just that you have not surrendered your I-94's. How many times have you traveled. You should all these issues by now, even if you have traveled for one time

Subramanya

[akila]

I travelled once in Jan 2002 - I-94 card valid. Second time in Dec 2005 - I-94 white card expired, Just surrendered that white card. I have the I-94 bottom portion attached to my I797 Approval notice, which shows that I am in valid status during that period. Will that be a problem at POE this time?
Thanks
Akil

[Subramanya]

I travelled once in Jan 2002 - I-94 card valid. Second time in Dec 2005 - I-94 white card expired, Just surrendered that white card.

---- This statement is in stark contrast to your earlier statements as below from your ealier post

During my earlier visits to India, I never surrendered I-94 - lower portion of I797 even when my white I-94 card was expired at the time of leaving U.S.

I have the I-94 bottom portion attached to my I797 Approval notice, which shows that I am in valid status during that period. Will that be a problem at POE this time?

---- At the POE the Immigration officer is not asking for your I-94 as it would have been surrendered while leaving the US. They are only asking for your new I-94 card filled by you while you are entering the US.

What is the problem in all this?. The Q&A's are only being repeated

Subramanya

[txh1b]

http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41860

If you just returned the white I-94, you will still be fine as they all contain the same number. But return everything.

[akila]

I-94 card at the bottom of H1B I797 Approval notice just have my first name, last name ,receipt number, country...etc and no date entered to indicate how long it is valid. I think by the receipt number they will find whether I am in valid status or not. Am I correct?

Thanks for all your answers. Thanks again.
Akil

[txh1b]

No, it is the I-94# that matters. No one cares about your receipt number.

[akila]

Thanks
Akil