royston

Hi fellow travellers,
I wanted to take a week off while changing jobs to visit Europe. I'm planning on a solo trip with Germany as my main destination.

The German consulate states this as one of the requirements:
"-reference letter from your employer"

Will a letter from my next employer stating that I will be starting work with them on my return be sufficient for this purpose?

I know a lot of the schengen countries explicitly state that your letter should state that the vacation for the duration of the trip has been approved and that you will be resuming working with them once you return.

Has anyone been in the same situation before?

I'm an Indian citizen on an H1B visa, working in the US.

Thanks in advance.

clausar

Why don't you ask the German Consulate?
Whatever people will tell you here, won't change the fact that you will still have to contact the German Consulate at the end.

Can you just rely on something that someone wrote on the Internet?

thursdaysd

Why do you think people on a travel forum, very few of whom have Indian passports, will know anything relevant to this question? Even if someone did, what basis would you have for trusting their post?

Contact the consulate.

royston

I'v tried calling them up, but haven't been able to get through.

Besides, I have the appointment in 6 days.

thursdaysd

If you have an appointment, what is the problem? Either the letter you have is sufficient or it is not, and you will know in six days. If it isn't, what can you do to change the situation?

Actually, I would be more worried about GETTING BACK IN to the US.

thursdaysd

After more thought.... Aren't H1B visas tied to specific jobs? Don't you need a new H1B arranged by your new employer? Doesn't your existing H1B cease to be valid the day your current job ends? Don't you think the German consulate is going to want to see the new H1B and that the employment letter is only needed to demonstrate that an existing H1B will still be valid on your return?

Do you have a new H1B? Because if not I think you can forget this trip until you get one. (And if you do get to go, don't forget to get a Sailing Permit from the IRS...)

royston

"If you have an appointment, what is the problem?"
- I haven't booked my tickets yet.

"After more thought.... Aren't H1B visas tied to specific jobs? Don't you need a new H1B arranged by your new employer? Doesn't your existing H1B cease to be valid the day your current job ends? Don't you think the German consulate is going to want to see the new H1B and that the employment letter is only needed to demonstrate that an existing H1B will still be valid on your return?"
-Yes. Yes. Yes and Yes. I have a new visa with my new employer. Iv done this twice before. Thanks for your concer though!!

If anyone has been through a similar situation, please post your suggestions.

socaltraveler

A simlar situation is not YOUR situation, please do not rely on info from a travel board.