Visa water damaged - Please help...

[Tommi 0]

Hi,

Sorry I am not sure what section to make this thread, but I am kinda freaked out right now.

I am currently under F-1 student visa, and working on 1 year OPT. It's only like a week until I have to start the H1b application process. I have my prospect employer ready, but my passport and visa just got water damaged!!! It's very frustrating. I did some research on the internet about what to do, but it's all confusing and there's not really anyone in my situation (ready to apply for H1b).

I know that I can renew my passport, but I don't know how and if I can renew my visa. I need them bad. Someone please help me. I've tried so hard to find a sponsor. Now I got one and I am screwed up.

[ManCharsey 254]

You probably should contact the embassy. They will know how to handle this. Whether they will make you reapply or just re-issue the visa in a new passport. Call their help line and talk to some. If you are in the US already, then call the USCIS and make an inquiry.

[Tommi 0]

Thank you. Yes I am in the US already (New York City). I am not sure what embassy to contact (the US or my home country), but I will just do both I guess. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to handle this thing.

[Shiobhan 235]

You get a new passport from your own consulate

and attach to the one with visa that's damaged

[ManCharsey 254]

Yeah for passport damage, your consulate in the US should issue you a new passport.

[Tommi 0]

Thank you all, but in my case, I will need a visa that still looks fine so that I can make a copy of it and submit to USCIS. Passport can be reissued, but how about my current damaged visa? Do I have to reapply for the visa too?

[ManCharsey 254]

No once, you are in the US you don't need a visa anymore. Remember the photocopy of the visa and entry stamps is used to establish proof of a legal entry and inspection by a border agent. So if the visa isn't very damaged where you can't see anything at all then I would say still make copies of it and the entry stamp if it is somewhat visible. Include the I-94 if you have one and attach a note/explanation about the damage to the visa. The passport is what is the most important and besides, the visa can not be obtained from within the US. It is issued at consulates and embassies. Most importantly focus on getting your new passport.

[Tommi 0]

No once, you are in the US you don't need a visa anymore. Remember the photocopy of the visa and entry stamps is used to establish proof of a legal entry and inspection by a border agent. So if the visa isn't very damaged where you can't see anything at all then I would say still make copies of it and the entry stamp if it is somewhat visible. Include the I-94 if you have one and attach a note/explanation about the damage to the visa. The passport is what is the most important and besides, the visa can not be obtained from within the US. It is issued at consulates and embassies. Most importantly focus on getting your new passport.

Thanks. But I need a copy of my visa for my H1b application...

[NickD 203]

Wife makes fun of me when I take our passports and put them in a zip-lock bag to slip in my shirt pocket and leave them in there when stored. Have to show her this post.

[Jawaree 718]

When U obtain new PP at your embassy

get infopass go in show them te damaged visa

with explanation, if it has to be re-stamped in new

PP they'll take care of it

[ManCharsey 254]

Yeah I would assume USCIS will have a way of stamping your passport to indicate the visa type you entered in. They won't necessarily issue you a visa since that is only done at the consulates but they will stamp your passport, I believe.