Travel after filing H1B

[madhur.oruganti]

Hello,
I am currently on OPT, I am applying for H1B. I was told that the lottery results are disclosed around August.

1) Is it ok to travel to India after filing the petition and before lottery results are announced ? I have my tentative wedding window during that period.

2) On reentry, my EAD card plus employer letter (full time employee) will be sufficient ?

Kindly advise! Thanks Desi OPT for the regular help.

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Admin]

There had been recent discussion on Travel after filing H1B petition .Refer these links

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/856552341028803

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/856038767746827

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/855573134460057

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/853645314652839

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2085-Travel-to-India-while-H1B-application-is-pending-*prior-results*

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/653255874691785

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/671790949504944

http://1.usa.gov/1jVxTKt

Cap Gap Travel

https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1/posts/859036400780397?stream_ref=10

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2027-India-travel-in-August-2014-on-OPT-extension-and-H1B-being-processed-or-approved

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/2041-Can-I-travel-to-India-after-my-H1-filing-is-done

http://forum.desiopt.com/showthread.php/1393-Travelling-after-filing-H1B

We suggest you to search DesiOPT Forums and Facebook Page for similar posts and suggestions from readers.
DesiOPT Forums: http://desiopt.com/forum/forum.php
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/desiopt1
Other Reads: http://forum.desiopt.com/entry.php/8...ns-and-Answers

If your question is not addressed in above links/Forums/Facebook posts then let us know.
IMPORTANT: Please write back SPECIFIC question that is not addressed in above likns. After reviewing we can post on Facebook wall. Thanks DesiOPT Team.

[lisaanderson]

Hello,
I am currently on OPT, I am applying for H1B. I was told that the lottery results are disclosed around August.

1) Is it ok to travel to India after filing the petition and before lottery results are announced ? I have my tentative wedding window during that period.

2) On reentry, my EAD card plus employer letter (full time employee) will be sufficient ?

Kindly advise! Thanks Desi OPT for the regular help.

1. Lottery results are announced by the end of April or first week of May. Regular processing H-1B approvals start coming by mid-to-late June.
If you travel out of the US, your change of status request will be cancelled and your H-1B will be approved as a consular processing case. Additionally, if your OPT has expired while you are gone, you are no longer covered by Cap Gap (http://www.visapro.com/video/f1-opt-to-h1b.asp).
2. Yes, if your EAD card is still valid.

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Admin]

Your message was posted anonymously on our Facebook wall at http://www.facebook.com/desiopt1 on March 3rd - Please review comments from other users.

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

your application will be then out of country, I think you cant enter if you leave before results. Be on the safe side, don't travel

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

lottery results will be disclosed in the month of april if your employer files your petition in premium. In regular processing it will be around may

1. It is ok to travel to india but if u come back while your application is in processing then ur change of status may or may not get approved bcz of the change in your I-94 number. Best thing would be ask your employer to go for the premium and if gets picked then come back after knowing the result.

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

Imagine if you get married, and then while coming back, are not allowed to reenter, that'd be a mess! Do NOT travel before the H1B results are out. That's the only way to go! Postpone thy wedding,unless you have a back-up job in India. That's what I would have done.

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

First let me correct u, the lottery results are disclosed after 2 weeks (premium application) and within 1 month or so (general application). Followup with your employer whether they are charged with the application fee and about they receiving the mail of I-797 approval notice. Once its confirmed, plan accordingly for India trip. You are fine coming back as you still on OPT status with a valid Travel I-20, EAD and employer letter which are sufficient but to be on safe side, carry payslips and offer letter as well.

[DesiOPT-FaceBook-Fan]

In my opinion you should not travel between april and october, even if H1 is approved, because one of my friend had a similar issue and she wasn't allowed to enter the US stating that she does have a valid status.