Question
A member recently asked this question:
I have a H1B Visa visa stamp on my passport but the visa is expired. I am planning to take a Bahamas cruise trip.
Can I do it?
Answer
The option to travel and return with a valid H1B i797 but an expired visa stamp is available only for Mexico and Canada.
This rule is called AVR (Automatic visa revalidation) but can only be used if traveling to Mexico, Canada, or some Caribbean islands.
As far as I know, the Bahamas is not included in the AVR rule.
Hence, you will need a valid visa stamp in the passport or advance parole to return to the US.
The cruise may not allow you to board if you do not have a valid visa or Advance parole to return even if it is a closed-loop cruise.
For Bahamas immigration, Bahamas may allow entry if your stay there is going to be less than 24 hours.
Most countries on Cruise stops around USA have either visa on arrival, or they allow free entry if you have some valid US document to return back to US.