H1b visa interview requirement if the H1b visa extension has not expired

[kc13]

Hi All,

Do i need to go for visa stamping if i have a valid visa stamped from my previous employer?

Here is my situation.
My passport is currently stamped with my previous employer h1b visa extension till 06/29/2016. I changed my job last year and after the visa transfer now i have a new i797 which expires on 09/11/2017. Can someone help with this please. I am a little confused on whether i will need to go for visa interview again as i had heard only when the h1b extension has expired we need to go for the visa interview again and get the visa stamped on passport.

Thanks!

[shervin143]

You can use the existing valid H1B visa in the passport to re-enter U.S. Usually the I-94 is issued till the petition expiry date. But in recent times, sometimes the officer at the POE will issue the I-94 till the visa expiry date instead of the petition expiry date. If that happens, then you will get an I-94 only for 6 months instead of till 2017. In which case, you will have to file an extension again before that I-94 expires. If you are okay with that, then you can re-enter using the existing visa in the passport. If you want an extended I-94, then you have to attend the visa interview with the new approval notice.