H1-B Revalidation from UK (US Consulate)

[sandy123]

Hi guys:
My H1-B expired on 31st March 2002. But before that, I applied for my extension.
My H1-B Extension Receipt date: 21st March 2002

I will hopefully get my extension approved by mid-May...but I have to take a business trip to London (UK) in June. Usually people send their passports to St. Louis (Missouri) for visa revalidation or get it stamped during their next trip to their home country (India) ? The current processing times for Visa revalidation in Missouri is 3 months. But I would need my passport to travel out of country in less than 2 months. So what do you guys recommend ?
1) Should I just go to Canada or Mexico to get it stamped ?
2) What reason should I give to immigration officer ? Should I tell him that I have come to Canada/Mexico for vacation or should I tell him that I wanted a multiple-entry visa stamp since I wanted to travel to UK ?
3) Should I just straight go to UK(London) in June with my I-787 approval notice and other papers and get the visa stamped in London US Consulate ?
Do any of you guys have experience with London US consulate ? Whether they are more lenient or strict than Mexico/Canada US consulate ?
4)What happens if my visa stamping is rejected in UK/Mexico/Canada ? I will have to go back to India...right ??? If rejected, can I just go to Mumbai Consulate and get it stamped and come back to USA or would I need a new H1-B application ?

Frankly speaking, my records have been clean...working with the same company since 3 years and never been out of status.
Please help me in taking the right decision of getting the visa stamped in London or Canada or Mexico ?

Thanks,
Sandeep

[Sen1975]

Hey Sandeep,

I'm in the same scenario like you.... I spoke to couple of attorneys one of him didn't have first hand information. As per the new law that was passed after April 1st you cannot get revalidated in either country's (Canada & Mexico). I was suggested to go back to india get stamped and get it over with it. If you come across better solution please let me know.


Thanks

Sen.

[sandy123]

Hi-B Stamping in UK

Hi Sen:
Are you sure we cannot go to Canada/Mexico for visa-revalidation after April 1 2002 ?
Then the only option I have is to go:
USA -> LONDON (business) -> BOMBAY (do visa stamping) -> LONDON -> USA

I wish I could have got my visa stamping done in London itself ??? H1-B sucks !!!

Good luck and let me know if you come across some useful info.

Thanks for replying,
Sandeep