Travelling to Europe with expired h1b stamp
I am working in US on H1b visa. My visa stamp & I94 expired last year but I received my I797, which allows me to work legally in US. I only need the h1b stamping for reentry after leaving the country. I am planning to travel to Portugal (Lisbon) for my H1b stamping and return to US. I have a valid Schengen visa.
Do you think I will face any issues in boarding flight in US or after landing in Portugal because of my expired stamp? I have read stories where the airlines do not let you board a flight because you can't return to US. Ironically, that is exactly why I am travelling in the first place (for my stamping and thus return to US).
Appreciate all your feedback! This is my first post - happy to correct it if it doesn't meet the standard.
Best Answer
The airline will only check your documents relating to your current flight itinerary.
For example, with a return ticket from the US to Portugal, the airline will check that you can enter Portugal when you check in for your flight to Portugal. Your documents for entering the US will be checked when you check in for the return flight to the US.
As for entering the Schengen area, if you have a valid multiple entry Schengen visa and have used it before or it is issued by Portugal, you are unlikely to have problems with immigration.
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Can I travel on expired H-1B visa?
An H-1B holder who has current H-1B classification (either initial or extension) may reenter the U.S. with an expired H-1B visa stamp after a trip solely to Canada or Mexico (not to U.S. territories/ the islands in the Caribbean) that lasted no more than 30 days (22 C.F.R. \xa7 41.112(d)).Can I travel without H1B stamping?
If your H-1B extension is pending with USCIS and your current H-1B status has expired, you must not travel internationally because you will need a valid H-1B approval and visa to re-enter the country.Can I enter US with expired visa stamp?
Nonimmigrant visa holders are allowed to re-enter the United States with an expired visa stamp after a short trip to Canada or Mexico, as long as they meet all eligibility requirements.Does H1B expire if you leave the country?
Leaving the United States After Completing H-1B EmploymentYou can stay in the U.S. until the end date listed on your I-797 H-1B approval notice UNLESS you: Travel internationally. Lose your job.Automatic Visa Revalidation Experience F1, J1, H1B Visa
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