Unused H1B Validity Check

[IdleBrain007]

HI,

I got H1B stamped in December 2009 from Company X. After the initial visa stamping in India, I have not travelled to the US (due to market conditions). It's been an year I have not used the visa. Now I have a job opportunity from a client Y in the US.. I 'd want to work at Y, but on X's payroll. Company X is not entertaining my requests. Is there a way to check if Company X has not revoked my H1B visa? Talking to X regd the same is the last option, ofcourse! Is there a way to know the latest status of a H1b visa which is unused for more than a year?

Any pointers for the same are highly appreciated.

Cheers,
IB.

[kabkaba]

Talking to X is your first and only option. If an employer does not offer you a job you cannot travel to the US even if you have a visa.
If you find another employer, they may file a cap exempt petition for you and you may enter using that petition. But you will need previous petition receipt number.

[sudhakar0204]

"If you find another employer, they may file a cap exempt petition for you and you may enter using that petition. But you will need previous petition receipt number."


In this case if we get an approved petition with a new employer, do we need to attend for visa interview again (provided the visa is yet valid)? or old visa is OK

[sk4ih]

Old visa is fine.

[sudhakar0204]

For the below question :::

"I was selected in 2008 financial year H1b lottery and got an approval for my H1B petition. I attended the visa interview in June 2008 and obtained visa valid till August 2010. Since i have not travelled to US because of recission my employer has revoked the petition in August 2009. Later it was communicated to me.

Today i made a call to Chennai US consulate and checked for the validity of the visa if i get new I-797 through new employer.

They said since i haven't made first entry so far with my old employer, even if i get an approved petition & has a valid visa i mush attend for visa interview again with the new I-797 petition..

Could you please guide me on this......."

Your answer :

"what answer you want from others when you already got an answer from consulate?"


But in this thread you are saying old visa is fine.... which on e we need to take as advice??

Thanks for your assistance....

[shervin143]

People have travelled without any issues with an approval notice of one company but with a valid visa stamped of a different company. This has never been an issue so far. However, if the VFS says that you need to get the visa stamped, then I would go for it. There is no point beating around the bush. If you want to travel with a peace of mind, then you should follow the words of VFS.

[IdleBrain007]

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate it!

- iB