If you have a question on immigration matters, write Ask-visalaw@visalaw.com. We can't answer every question, but if you ask a short question that can be answered concisely, we'll consider it for publication. Remember, these questions are only intended to provide general information. You should consult with your own attorney before acting on information you see here.
Q - I am working on a L1 visa extension through company A, and another company B has applied for a new H1 visa which has chances to get approved before Aug 06. I am planning to go to India for 3 weeks (while still with company A) sometime during next few months. If my H1 gets approved and stamped in time, I can start work for company B on or after Oct 01, 06. Does my vacation while on L1 have any effect on my H1 approval and subsequent stamping, as I will be required to appear for L1 extension stamping in India before coming back.
A - The L1 and H1 are independent visas and do not really affect each other except that time in one status counts towards the limit in time on the other. You can have both types of visas in your passport simultaneously, but you can only have H or L status while in the US; not both. The only issue I see based on your question below is if you enter the US on the L visa before your H visa is valid. In this case, you would have to leave the country and re-enter after the validity of the H begins in order to start your H status.
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Q - When is the draw for the green card lottery due (specific date)? When will winners be notified? Is the following website genuine or a fraud? http://www.nationalvisaservice.com/
A - The lottery winners are usually notified beginning in April and ending in June or July. I originally posted this answer yesterday saying I didn't believe winners were starting to get notified yet. But a lawyer reader set me straight saying that he had just seen his first winner last week.
As for this site, I don't have any specific information and cannot advise. However, I would be weary of sites that attempt to resemble US government sites. I would also be weary of sites that charge exorbitant fees. Entering the lottery is not that difficult for most people. We mainly recommend using an outside service when your English skills are poor, when you don't trust your country's mail service and wish to use a third party's address or when you anticipate moving during the year following entry into the lottery. Otherwise, you can probably enter yourself without too much difficulty and with no cost.
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Q - I am already on H1B and filed for an extension 3 months ago. I had already processed the H1B visa in Canada and had my passport stamped. Can I have my passport restamped in the US?
A - No. Visa revalidation is no longer available in the US. Visa stamping can only happen at a US consulate.
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Q - I need to know if a Pakistani female who is on an F-2 (after visa expiration)can avail automatic revalidation? Her visa is expiring but her status is legal and she wish to travel to Canada for less than 30 days. Can she avail automatic revalidation (after expiration of her US visa) if yes what she need to do to avail automatic revalidation?
A - If she has remained in status and is going to Canada for less than 30 days, she should be able to simply leave and reenter with her unexpired I-94 even if her visa is expired. Visa revalidation is not available to certain nationalities on the terror watch list anymore, but Pakistan is not one of them. Note that applying for a visa while in Canada will mean visa revalidation is not permitted.
