Extended Honeymoon on H1B? Is it possible?

[WanderLustMan 0]

Hey all, love this forum with all the useful information and such.

I have a question. My wife and I got married last year and didn't have much time to take that long honeymoon we always planned because I was slammed at work and couldn't get it. My boss (for the firm that is sponsoring my H1B) made a deal with me and said I could take August & September off this year to make up for the lost time. It's a slow time at our financial firm that time of year anyway.

My question is, is there a problem to travel for so long under and H1B? I am still fully employed by the company but didn't know if there would be problems being out of the country for so long. Also because I'm currrently filing at the same time for AOS.

Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!!!

WLM

[Dr_LHA 3]

I can't see why there would be a problem, although you should probably make sure you have plenty of evidence that you are still employed when you come back. That said, the last few times I flew on my H1B they never looked at anything other than the visa itself.

For the record I spent 7 weeks outside the US on a H1-B, although that trip was work related, and there was no problem.

Edited July 10, 2006 by dr_lha

[WanderLustMan 0]

ok, small update, turns out I can't get the full time as paid leave. What is the policy if it's unpaid leave? Is there a limit on the H1B as to how long I can stay out without pay?

[Dr_LHA 3]

You should be fine as long as you're still actually employed.

[meauxna 15]

ok, small update, turns out I can't get the full time as paid leave. What is the policy if it's unpaid leave? Is there a limit on the H1B as to how long I can stay out without pay?

hmm---that would be worth getting a legal opinion on. Does your company have in-house counsel or someone in HR who deals with the H-1Bs?