can I get a schengen visa to visit france on my way to my home country. My H1B stamped on the passport expired

Question

I am an indian citizen and intend to visit france and switzerland on my way to India. I am going for my H1 restamping as my H1 B stamped on the passport has been expired and have new H1B petition papers and 1-94 approved. On my way to my home country I would like to have a stopover in france and visit paris and switzerland for 4-5 days. My final destination Is India and I dont require any visa to go there. But are there any chances of denying schengen visa because my US visa has been expired??

Answer 1

It's a judgement call, because the website (http://www.consulfrance-newyork.org/article.php3?id_article=366) says that you need a valid visa and form I-94. You have a valid I-94, but not a visa...

I would give them a call (or send an e-mail via Wesite http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org/auteur.php3?id_rubrique=2). I would not mention Switzerland

Here you'll find, which consulate should you contact:
http://www.ambafrance-us.org/intheus/consulates.asp

Answer 2

Visa things are always arbitrary. Technically there's no link between the two (US expiry and Schengen application) but there could be athing the consulate would certainly have an eye on. My other word of warning concerns Switzerland: you'll need a separate visa to go there and you seem to overlook that...