Very urgent..post views plzz..!!!!!

[enigma006]

Hai..

One of my friend got his H1 approved and OPT also extended. He is planning to go to india in January 2009. Current OPT ends Dec 2008 and OPT Extension is till May 2010..
1)What should he do??
2)Should he go for H1 stamping in India as its approved?
3)Can he plan his trip based on OPT by just showing the offer letter n STEM I-20 at the immigration in airport on F1 visa..so that he can get his stamping in the future before May 2010 (when his OPT extension ends)..??

Plz dont mind for lots of questions..its urgent..
Need help n suggestions..
Atleast post your views about this.. I guess this would be helpful for many as many new H1B cases are pending even now..!!!!!
Thanks..

[laksmi]

With current situations, better to be on OPT to move in-out of country, visiting Canada for stamping would be good.

[roseball]

Did your friend apply for a H1 Change of Status (COS) or apply under the Visa to be issued abroad category?

If he applied a COS then he will no longer be on F1 status but he will be on H1 depending on when the H1 was approved. In that case, he has to get a H1 stamp as F1 wont be valid anymore.

Originally Posted by enigma006

Hai..

One of my friend got his H1 approved and OPT also extended. He is planning to go to india in January 2009. Current OPT ends Dec 2008 and OPT Extension is till May 2010..
1)What should he do??
2)Should he go for H1 stamping in India as its approved?
3)Can he plan his trip based on OPT by just showing the offer letter n STEM I-20 at the immigration in airport on F1 visa..so that he can get his stamping in the future before May 2010 (when his OPT extension ends)..??

Plz dont mind for lots of questions..its urgent..
Need help n suggestions..
Atleast post your views about this.. I guess this would be helpful for many as many new H1B cases are pending even now..!!!!!
Thanks..

[NolaIndian32]

8 years ago when I wanted to visit India while in the first month of my newly printed OPT, I was advised to have a valid I-20 document along with my F1 visa in passport. This was advised by 3 separate attorneys. Unfortunately, the University I attended refused to give me an I-20 because I had already graduated - I ended up not risking my situation, and i did not visit India, missing out on a family wedding in the process. I don't know if things have changed since then. Best to get advice from an attorney.

[a_yaja]

Originally Posted by enigma006

Hai..

One of my friend got his H1 approved and OPT also extended. He is planning to go to india in January 2009. Current OPT ends Dec 2008 and OPT Extension is till May 2010..
1)What should he do??
2)Should he go for H1 stamping in India as its approved?
3)Can he plan his trip based on OPT by just showing the offer letter n STEM I-20 at the immigration in airport on F1 visa..so that he can get his stamping in the future before May 2010 (when his OPT extension ends)..??

Plz dont mind for lots of questions..its urgent..
Need help n suggestions..
Atleast post your views about this.. I guess this would be helpful for many as many new H1B cases are pending even now..!!!!!
Thanks..

Roseball is correct. If your H1B was approved with COS (Change of Status), then your OPT & F1 is not valid anymore. If you leave the country, you must get a H1B visa stamp and reenter as your F1 visa is not valid anymore (and neither is your OPT).

[enigma006]

Thanks for all your suggestions..

He applied for COS..so i guess he should go for stamping..!!
I guess now the number of people visiting Canada is also decreased..
Many of them are visiting India for stamping..