Got a NOTICE OF APPROVAL on my H1B but USCIS wanted me to go back to the philippines..?

Question

I have a question. My employer applied a H1B for me last April 2007 and it was approved,we already recieved the APPROVAL NOTICE from USCIS but the problem is they wanted me to go home and claim my working visa in the Philippines then re-enter US again. Is there any other way that I can fix my papers here in America instead of going back to the Philippines just to get and claim there my working visa? please help.

Answer 1

I suppose no one told you that an H1B will be issued in your country of origin huh? You need to exit the US using your B1/B2 (you will be guilty of overstaying if you don't exit) and re-enter with your H1B. Be happy coz' you are one of the few lucky ones to get that kind of visa. Use it as a mini vaction prior to your long work stay. Did you know that you can bring your family with you to the US with this H1B? This is valid for 6 years (total) and you can use this to apply for permanent residence also (green card). Don't try the short cuts as you are jeopardizing your chances to stay for good. Do it the right way. You can never go wrong. Good luck.

Answer 2

If you are already here you should just be able to adjust your status... what Visa are you here on now? I came to the US on a B1/B2 visa for my job, and then we changed my status to H1B. The only thing is you just get the status, not the visa, so if you want to travel you would have to get the visa issued before you could return to the states. Which is just a case of sending your passport to thr embassy when you leave the USA.. I think in several embassys you can just walk in and they will put the visa in, as long as you have your approvals from USCIS showing you have H1B status. I am not sure of that, as I didn't need to travel, you would have to check with immigration and possibly your embassy on your home country.