whether H1B visa is granted to an individual or an organisation / employer?

Question

i have been issued/granted H1B visa,while i was working for S/W organisation, and ofcourse did not continue long enough to proceed to the usa. i took up higher studies. now i want to know whether i can use the visa to visit the usa as a tourist and not to work or take up any assignment?

Answer 1

The US H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa, which allows a US company to employ a foreign individual for up to six years. As applying for a non-immigration visa is generally quicker than applying for a US Green Card, staff required on long-term assignment in the US are often initially brought in using a non-immigrant visa such as the H1B visa.

Individuals can not apply for an H1B visa to allow them to work in the US. The employer must petition for entry of the employee. H1B visas are subject to annual numerical limits.

Answer 2

NO - you cannot use an H1B visa simply to come to the US as a tourist. H1B visa is valid only if you are working in a capacity of the specialty occupation for which you were petitioned. Using it for other purposes, or even for other types of jobs is a status violation (e.g. you were hired as a computer programmer and now you now working as an investment analyst).

Even if you try to use your H1B visa to come to the US, you might be deported upon your entry (airport to airport) because the H1B visa is no longer valid. Worse, you can be barred for entry for years because of attempting to enter the US with an invalid visa.

I suggest you go to the US embassy and apply for a US tourist visa.

Read about H1B visa here
http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/foreign/h-1b.asp
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1271.html

Answer 3

I believe the visa becomes invalid once employment is terminated. I also don't think it takes much to get a tourist visa and that would be the better route.

Answer 4

errrr this is in UK & ireland yahoo questions H1B is United states, you better off asking there.