Hi,

I have entered first time in US on H4 visa. Last October my H1 B petition was approved via a consultancy. I haven't resume working as I have to leave the country due to family emergency. I have come back to US having h4 stamped. I don't have SSN applied in advance as there was a shutdown of gov offices. So do I need to pay again for h1 filing for changing the status from h4 to h1? Any pointers will highly be appreciated.