India, take your approval notice and apply for an H-1 visa. Now, BCIS (INS) does not like it. I think there is a even a regulation that says you must inform BCIS about the visit. In my humble opinion, there is nothing stopping you. The only problem is that if you do not first obtain an H-1 visa you cannot be allowed back into USA as BCIS considers your adjustment of status (not the H-1) to have been abandoned. <br> <br> Q25  What is the phone number of US consulate in Juarez, Mexico?<br> <br> A25  Country code: 52 Area code: 16 Phone #: 13-40-48<br> <br> Q26  What documents are needed to get a multiple entry H-1B visa?<br> <br> A26  1. Passport with current I-94 2. H-1B approval form (*ORIGINAL*) [Form I-797] 3. Copy of H-1B petition form. Ask your company for this. The consulate in Juarez have recently begun suggesting to prospective applicants to bring attorney certified copies of the H-1B petition. 4. Copy of Form ETA 9035 or the Labor Condition Application [LCA] that was filed by your company. Ask your company or lawyer if this was necessary in your case. If it is, take a copy of the document that was given to the BCIS (INS). 5. Letter from your immediate supervisor stating that you worked for him and may need to travel abroad for official purposes soon and hence be granted an H-1B visa. It must be addressed to US consulate, Juarez. 6. Company verification letter from Human resources giving details like job title, pay date of joining etc. 7.Appointment letter from Human resources department. 8. Pay stubs or company ID. 9. Recently, U.S. consulates around the world have begun issuing machine readable visas (MRV) to protect against visa fraud. The cost of preparing these visas is $65 and is applied to nationals of all countries. In addition, the applicant is responsible for the reciprocity visa fee. For Indian nationals, the reciprocity visa fee is $75. Therefore, make sure to carry $140 in cash. 10. One Passport size photograph 11. Degree certificates [original + copy] 12. Make sure to take along with you copies of all documents filed with the BCIS (INS) on your behalf by your company. 13. Notarized or attorney certified copy of your entire passport including the page containing your H-1 visa. For more information on this FAQ click here <br> <br> Q27  What is a good place to stay at El Paso?<br> <br> A27  I stayed at the EconLodge in El Paso. They charge $34/night. You get a 10% discount if you are a AAA member (which I got). <br> <br> Q28  Are there any good eating places near the EconoLodge?<br> <br> A28  There's a restaurant called Elmers next door to the Econolodge. Ask the manager of the Econolodge for a card which gives you a 10% discount at Elmers. There's a good Indian Restaurant (for those who like ethnic Indian food) within 3 miles of the Econolodge. The food is good and the price is reasonable. <br> <br> Q29  Do I need to have a Mexican Visa to go to Juarez?<br> <br> A29  You do need a Mexican visa to go to the U.S. consulate in Juarez. <br> <br> Q30  Any suggestions for dos and don'ts in Mexico?<br> <br> A30  Do not drink the water in Juarez. Either carry spring water with you or sustain yourself with coke or fruit juices from the vending machines at the consulate and nearby restaurants. Eating food there is also not particularly advisable. <br> <br> Q31  What is the best form of transportation from the El Paso airport to the Econolodge?<br> <br> A31  The EconoLodge has a shuttle service that can pick you up and drop you off at the airport (915)-778-3311. <br> <br> Q32  What is the best means of transportation from the Econoldge to the U.S. Consulate and back?<br> <br> A32  A taxi driver by the name of Jesse Esparza (915)598-0204 offers the cheapest fare for round trip transportation from your hotel to the U.S. consulate. He charges $35 for a party of 4 or less people. He will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the consulate in the morning. On your way back you must take a Mexican taxi from the Consulate to the border. Do not pay more than $10 for the Mexican taxi service to the border. You then walk across the bridge and enter the U.S. side, clear the immigration and customs and then call Jesse Esparza again. He picks you up in 5min. Try to use the cabs as a group of 3 or 4 people. You can save a considerable amount of money this way. Also make sure to leave for the consulate early in the morning (a 4.30 am start from your hotel is helpful). The line is usually long. <br> <br> Q33  Is there a fee for the multiple entry H-1B visa?<br> <br> A33  Recently, the consulate started issuing machine readable visas (MRV). Consequently, the visa fee for Indian nationals is $140 up $20 from the fee of $100. I am not sure about the fee for other countries. <br> <br> Q34  For how many months are the papers sent for H4 valid?<br> <br> A34  The papers sent should be valid for 2 months. But, it is best to check with consulate where spouse/child will apply. <br> <br> Q35  I have sent the H4 Documents. Now, if I change my job should I send a fresh proof of employment from my new employer to the consulate?<br> <br> A35  In case of a new H1-B notification, it's better to submit the new H1-B notification and letter from new employer also as proof.There have been instances where the consulate has called the employer to verify claim of employment. In general, if the job switch over can be delayed for some time,wait till the visa is issued. <br> <br> Q36  Is it possible to renew my multiple-entry visa stamp by mail?<br> <br> A36  Yes, but note that this is only for renewal or re-issuance, not for obtaining the visa for the first time.<br> <br> Q37  Which types of visa can I have reissued in this way?<br> <br> A37  First step: you have to obtain the form to fill out, by writing to: US Department of State Visa Services P.O Box 952099 St Louis, MO 63195-2099<br> <br> Fax: 202/663-1608.<br> <br> You need to say that you want your visa (stamp) reissued, and would like copies (specify how many) of the appropriate form, which I believe is Form DS-156 and DS-157 for male applicants is must. . You must also enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope for them to send you the forms &amp; instructions. Second step: You should receive instructions along with the form.<br> <br> In summary, the things that need to be sent back to the above address are: 1) Your passport containing the stamp that's to be renewed; 2) The form they sent you (DS-156 and DS-157); 3) The original of your I-94, not a copy; 4) A copy of your petition approval (I-171C or I-797); 5) Letter from employer; 6) Another stamped self-addressed envelope with enough postage for the return of your passport (courier service could also be used). 7) A check for the renewal fee [for H1B fee it was $100 .It could have changed now.] Six weeks is the normal processing time. <br> <br> Q38  What are the different types of H-1 visas?<br> <br> A38  An H-1B classification is temporary (three years, extendable for another three). People loosely refer to H-1B as H-1. But,the following variations exist within H-1:<br> <br> H-1A Registered Nurse H-1B1 Specialty Occupation (Professionals) H-1B2 U.S. Department of Defense special visas H-1B3 Artists, entertainers or fashion models of national or international acclaim H-1B4 Artists or Entertainers in unique or traditional art form H-1B5 Athletes H-1BS Essential support personnel for H-1B entertainer or athlete.<br> <br> Q39  What is the difference between Labor Certification and Labor Condition Application? I do understand that one is for H-1B and the other is for Green Card. Beside this, there must be some other difference. What's it?<br> <br> A39  An LCA is a very small and routine procedure. It is merely a one page form that is certified by the department of labor within 10 to 15 minutes. We now have the online facility to get LCA's approved. The labor cert. is a much more complicated procedure that is not &quot;routine.&quot; It requires a lot more time and effort. <br> <br> Q40  I have a friend from Nepal and he is a Computer Professional. He came to States on a visitor visa.Here, he got a job and his Employer did H1-B for him. But there is a mistake in his H1-B paper (I-94). Country of Citizenship is written INDIA instead of NEPAL. His employer said that he had already filed for corrections. But it is more than 7 weeks and he still did not get a new H1-B with corrections. His concern is validity of H1-B visa. Is it legal to work on that original H1-B (with mistake)? Will he face problem if he doesn't get another H1-B visa in time?<br> <br> A40  Happens most of the time. Just get it corrected. There shouldn't be any problem.<br> <br> Q41  I am in the process of changing Job. Right now my visa status is H1B. My spouse is on H4 visa. She recently accepted a job and applied for H1B visa. So my question is when I apply for my new H1B visa do I need to apply a H4 visa for my wife?<br> <br> A41  No. She will have her own H-1. As long as you maintain status (does not matter with which employer), her H-4 is valid. The moment her H-1 is approved, she will then have independent H-1 status<br> <br> Q42  I went through the FAQ (for H visas) and understand that you can maintain multiple H visas. I am not sure whether this is specifically for an H1B or for an H4 also. My question is can my wife who has an H4 visa, apply and work part-time or even full time on a different H visa? How does this affect her H4 multiple entry visa (on her passport) and her ability to travel on it? And does a travel agent qualify as a specialty occupation?<br> <br> A42  Your wife cannot work on H-4. She would have to get a new H-1 permission as well as visa. A travel agent probably does NOT qualify for an H-1.<br> <br> Q43  I would like to seek your erudite opinion on a topic not covered by the H-1 FAQ. I am suffering from Tendonitis on my forearms and find that my job as a programmer is aggravating the situation. I am currently on a H-1 and hold an Indian citizenship. I am undergoing physiotherapy etc to recover from the problem. Can I take a month off to recover fully? I was wondering if the BCIS (INS) would have a problem with this if my employer agrees to it.<br> <br> A43  BCIS (INS) should not have any problems. This is a very genuine difficulty. <br> <br> Q44  I went through your FAQ's and they were very helpful and answered most of the questions. I am on HIB status and right now have an option to join a job in Chicago or Minneapolis and would like to know which one is better to take up for my green card processing. I have heard from my friends (not lawyers) that it takes a long time for green card processing in Chicago. I would appreciate your insight on this.<br> <br> A44  Because of the new RIR procedures,it may be better to go with the employer who has been advertising regularly for your type of jobs. <br> <br> Q45  Is a job ad required only for labor certification or for Labor Condition Application also?<br> <br> A45  If an employeer is an H-1 dependent employer, then the employer is required t