Hi rocksrocks,
Yes, you will be able to travel on your H-1B but you will need to
obtain an H-1B visa stamp on your passport to re-enter the U.S. by
applying for it at the nearest U.S. Consulate when you are in India.
At the least, you will need to present to the Consulate a valid
passport, the original Form I-797 Approval Notice, a copy of the H-1B
petition and a letter confirming current employment from your
employer. However, check with the Consulate in India for procedures
specific to them.
Can an H-1B alien travel outside the U.S.?
"Yes. An H-1B visa allows an alien holding that status to reenter the
U.S. during the validity period of the visa and approved petition."
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/h1b.htm#travel
H-1B
Some of the rights and benefits granted include:
* Travel in and out of the United States or remain there continuously
for the term of the H-1B.
http://www.rapidimmigration.com/usa/1_eng_kit_h1b.html
"An H1B visa stamp allows an alien holding that status to travel
abroad and reenter the US during the validity period of the visa and
approved petition."
http://www.bccvisalaw.com/h1b.php
Applying for an H-1B visa stamp (different from the approval notice )
"If you are in H-1B status and plan to travel outside of the U.S., you
will need to obtain an H-1B visa stamp to re-enter the U.S... To
obtain an H-1B visa stamp, you will need to make an appointment at a
U.S. Embassy or Consulate and apply for the visa stamp there. Before
you leave the U.S., we recommend that you get a copy of your H-1B
petition to take with you."
"You will also need to obtain a letter from your department on
department letterhead confirming your H-1B employment with the
University. This letter must be included with your visa
application(s). You or your family member should keep the original or
a copy of the letter with you when you re-enter the U.S."
http://www.umich.edu/~icenter/intlstudents/events/H1Btravel.htm
U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Consulate General in Calcutta, India
http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/in4/wwwhmain.html
U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras), India
http://usembassy.state.gov/chennai/
U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, India
http://usembassy.state.gov/mumbai/
"An H1B employee traveling outside the U.S. should be certain to have
all necessary documents for entry into all countries he or she intends
to visit and for re-entry into the U.S. Obtaining or extending H1B
status through petitioning USCIS will NOT grant or extend an H1B visa
stamp in an alien's passport. If an H1B visa stamp needs to be
obtained, it will be necessary for the employee to present a valid
passport, the original Form I-797, a copy of the H1B petition, and a
letter confirming current employment to a U.S. Consulate or Embassy
outside the U.S. All H1B visa stamps must be issued by a U.S.
consulate outside the U.S."
http://www.emory.edu/ISSP/scholars/h1b/travel.htm
"4. Form I-797 approval notice: The Form I-797 approval notice
indicates that USCIS has approved the H1B petition and has either
changed the beneficiary's status to H1B (in which case a new I-94 card
is issued, attached to the bottom of the Form I-797A) or indicated the
consulate to which they have sent notice of the petition's approval
(Form I-797B). The form will state the validity period of the H1B
petition."
Travel:
"An H1B employee traveling outside the U.S. should be certain to have
all necessary documents for entry into all countries he or she intends
to visit and for re-entry into the U.S. If an H1B visa needs to be
obtained, it will be necessary for the employee to present a valid
passport, the original Form I-797, a copy of the H1B petition, and a
letter confirming current employment to a U.S. Consulate or Embassy
outside the U.S. "
http://www.us-immigration-attorney.com/h1b-visa.htm
I hope I've been able to sort this out for you. If you have any
questions, please post a clarification request *before* closing/rating
my answer and I'll be happy to reply.
Thank you,
hummer
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