Can I maintain H1 status without actual Visa stamp while re-entering US?

[illinois_alum]

Hi, I wanted to know if it is possible for me to maintain my H1 status (and my wife's H4) status while re-entering the US using I-131 Advance Parole document without a valid H1 visa stamp in my passport.

Here's my situation: -
1. I have been on H1 status for the past 6+ years.
2. My current employer filed for an H1 renewal/extension petition for years 7-9 which has been approved and we have the approval notice.
3. My wife's H4 renewal petition has also been approved.
4. We both have filed for I-485 Adjustment of Status which is pending with USCIS due to retrogression.
5. Our H1 & H4 visa stamps in the passport expired in September of 2009.
6. We are planning to leave the US for about a month in Nov-Dec and do have valid I-131 documents for purposes of re-entering.

At the port of entry, can we show our H1/H4 approval notices to the IO and request that he stamp our new I-94s for a H1/H4 status?

Thanks

[wandmaker]

Originally Posted by illinois_alum

Hi, I wanted to know if it is possible for me to maintain my H1 status (and my wife's H4) status while re-entering the US using I-131 Advance Parole document without a valid H1 visa stamp in my passport.

Here's my situation: -
1. I have been on H1 status for the past 6+ years.
2. My current employer filed for an H1 renewal/extension petition for years 7-9 which has been approved and we have the approval notice.
3. My wife's H4 renewal petition has also been approved.
4. We both have filed for I-485 Adjustment of Status which is pending with USCIS due to retrogression.
5. Our H1 & H4 visa stamps in the passport expired in September of 2009.
6. We are planning to leave the US for about a month in Nov-Dec and do have valid I-131 documents for purposes of re-entering.

At the port of entry, can we show our H1/H4 approval notices to the IO and request that he stamp our new I-94s for a H1/H4 status?

Thanks

Showing H1/H4 notice will lead to confusion and @POE, officer will not issue I-94 per H1/H4 notices. Rather, you show your AP and re-enter the country, and your I-94 will be issued as Parolee w/ the validity of 1 year. You can still work for your H1B employer in H1 status and continue to renew when it expires. My 2 cents.