H1-B passport stamp
 

Hi all,
I have recently changed status from J-1 to H1-B. All the paperwork was processed in the States and has been completed. I will be going back to London soon and so will have to get the new stamp in my passport. Does anyone know how long this process is likely to take? Following the interview for my J-1 (Aug 2005) , I had my passport back by 5 days. Is it a similar process for the H1-B?
Any information would be gratefully received.

Re: H1-B passport stamp
 

Beery1 wrote:
    > I have recently changed status from J-1 to H1-B. All the paperwork was
    > processed in the States and has been completed. I will be going back to
    > London soon and so will have to get the new stamp in my passport. Does
    > anyone know how long this process is likely to take? Following the
    > interview for my J-1 (Aug 2005) , I had my passport back by 5 days. Is
    > it a similar process for the H1-B?
    > Any information would be gratefully received.

It normally takes about 5 days to get the passport back with the visa
after the interview. You need to book an interview in advance from
within the UK, and the first available slot can sometimes be several
weeks after you call (they say 30 to 40 days at the moment).

The Embassy website is pretty clear and detailed on the procedures.

Re: H1-B passport stamp
 

Just a word of warning, make sure your passport is in *perfect* condition. My passport was refused by the Embassy, the plastic film that covers the photo was *slightly* detached (about 3mm! and nowhere near the actual photo!!). I had to get a new passport, which involed a trip to the passport agency for an emergency replacement as I had a return flight booked. I had booked a 20 day return flight ticket, and didn't make the return flight date as a result. My advice is to inspect your passport now and replace it if its in anyway damaged. Make sure your flight can be changed for a later return journey. I booked a BA flight via AA website - as a result BA couldn't change the AA booking and AA couldn't reallocate a BA flight - it cost me £860 for a new flight. I refuse to use AA or BA after they let me down and currently fly Continental for trips to the UK. Talking to a supervisor at AA and BA and having them call each other did not help.
I hope there is a moral in my story that helps others.
I thought 20 days was being cautious, expensive mistake.