Mark M

Hi!

My status just got changed from F1 to H1B in US. Thus,
I need a new visa stamp for my passport. Typically, one gets
this new stamp on first travel outside US.

However, there seems to be an alternative way for Germans.
I am wondering if anyone has been able to get one from
US Consulate in Germany by *mailing* his/her passport to
Germany.

The US Consulate in Germany allows German citizens
to obtain certain visa stamps by mailing their passports from
the US. The passport is then mailed back to US with new stamp.
(see http://www.usembassy.de/travel/index.htm
then CLICK ON "Visa Renewal in the U.S. and Germany")

This seems to work for RENEWALS (ie obtain a new F1/J1/H1 stamp
if old one has expired). According to the information
provided on the webpage, it is however left unclear if one can also get a
new visa stamp in case of a *status change* within the US
(in my case F1 to H1). I cannot call the Consulate in Germany directly
as they don't accept international calls.

However, I asked someone I know to call and according to him they
indeed can do the visa stamp even if it involves a status change.
I was surprised to hear that, so I thought I ask if anyone here has
any experience with this.

Thanks!l

-Mark

Ingo Pakleppa

On Wed, 18 Dec 2002 03:59:44 +0000, Mark M wrote:

    >
    > Hi!
    >
    > My status just got changed from F1 to H1B in US. Thus,
    > I need a new visa stamp for my passport. Typically, one gets
    > this new stamp on first travel outside US.
    >
    > However, there seems to be an alternative way for Germans.
    > I am wondering if anyone has been able to get one from
    > US Consulate in Germany by *mailing* his/her passport to
    > Germany.
    >
    > The US Consulate in Germany allows German citizens
    > to obtain certain visa stamps by mailing their passports from
    > the US. The passport is then mailed back to US with new stamp.
    > (see http://www.usembassy.de/travel/index.htm
    > then CLICK ON "Visa Renewal in the U.S. and Germany")
    >
    > This seems to work for RENEWALS (ie obtain a new F1/J1/H1 stamp
    > if old one has expired). According to the information
    > provided on the webpage, it is however left unclear if one can
    > also get a
    > new visa stamp in case of a *status change* within the US
    > (in my case F1 to H1). I cannot call the Consulate in Germany directly
    > as they don't accept international calls.
    >
    > However, I asked someone I know to call and according to him they
    > indeed can do the visa stamp even if it involves a status change.
    > I was surprised to hear that, so I thought I ask if anyone here has
    > any experience with this.

No experience, but after looking at the page, I came to the conclusion
that they are indeed using the term "renewal" rather loosely to mean
anybody who has a valid status in the US and no visa to correspond to it.

Besides, what do you have to lose by trying except for the fee and a
little time?

Ivonne

Mark,

I'd say the same: just try. I just got my visa via mail from Germany (ok, it was a renewal of J1), but it was fast (3 weeks) and uncomplicated. But that was before they announced a new rule, that visas can only be given after scheduling an interview. I don't know, how that effect first time visa applications from people already in the us in lawful status or for visa renewals by mail. But from what they write on their site : die sich "in legal status" befinden, den Antrag auf ERNEUERUNG ihres Visums bereits von den USA aus zu stellen." I would say, you have to go to Germany and apply there.

But there is a fax number for people who wish to contact the consulate from outside Germany where you can fax your question. I also had a question concerning my application. It took them two weeks to answer, but at least, I got an useful answer. I'm not sure anymore, but I think, I used one of those faxnumbers, statet on this site:

http://www.usembassy.de/travel/dindex.htm

Ivonne