I’m a H1B visa holder (no visa stamp, since got it in the US. Held J-1 visa) with I-140 and I-485 pending, and am planning to go back China this summer. I will not change my job after the vacation. My question is “Should I apply a H1B visa in China, or just use the AP, for returning the US?”.
I do not really understand why people holding H1 or H4 visa do not simply use their APs, but re-apply H visas. Is anything wrong to use the AP? Or affect the H status?
May there is a problem to I-94, if use the AP? When return to the US, I’ll get a new I-94 form. Is the I-94 number same as my previous one or not?
Someone told me the new I-94 would be time limited (1 year valid?), if I use the AP. Is this correct? If so, the AP seems totally useless. Will I get trouble after the validation of my I-94? What should I do? How can I extend the validation of I-94? Do I have to back China to apply a new H1 visa? Or I should renew the AP for keeping the validation of the I-94 in future until getting the GC?
I’m totally confused by the relationship among the AP, H1 visa and I-94. Could you please draw a clear picture on this issue? Thank you so much!
Bow my thanks!