Immigration.com

Extension

When used in relation to immigration, this is another name for extending your status.

B-2 extension/F-1 Change of Status: Can I stay in the U.S.?

8 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My H-1B to B2 status change (I-539) was approved, and the I-94 expiry date on my B2 approval notice is 21 April 2025.

Now, if I apply for a B2 extension or F-1 change of status, then can I stay in the USA after 21-Apr-2025 while my decision is pending?

 

FAQ Transcript

Yes, you can generally stay in the US while your B-2 extension or F-1 change of status application is pending, provided you file it before your current status expires. This applies to most applications filed while still in status (e.g., H-1, B-1, B-2, L-1, E-1, E-2). If your I-94 expires on April 21st and you apply for a B-2 extension or F-1 change of status before that date, you can stay in the US while your application is pending because you filed it timely.

H-1B working remotely from India

9 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I received my H-1B visa in September 2022 and worked at my company’s Scottsdale, Arizona office until March 2024. Since then, I have been working remotely from India for the same company and role. My H-1B visa is set to expire in September 2025.

I have a few questions regarding the extension process:

1. Does my employer need me physically in the U.S. to apply for my H1B extension?

2. If yes, what alternatives are available for my employer to apply while I am abroad?

3. Given that my visa expires in September 2025, when should I start the extension process at the latest?

 

FAQ Transcript

No, your employer does not need you to be physically in the U.S. to apply for your H-1B extension. You can start the extension process up to six months before your H-1B expires, which means you can apply as early as March 2024 for a September 2025 expiration.

 

H-1B layoffs: 60-day grace period, visa options, and transitioning to study

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

- H1B 60-day grace period starts on the date of getting notice of layoff from the employer, on the date of the severance paycheck, or on the last date of the regular paycheck?

- During H1B 60-day grace period, what is the best time to apply for B1/B2? When 30 days are left, 15 days are left, etc.?

- H1B is for 6-years of work, or 6-years total? I mean does unemployment time or B1/B2 time etc. also counts in 6-years of H1B?

- After layoff on H1B, if decided to go to school, then how to stay in US until getting admission decision and until school starts, that could take many months.

- After layoff on H1B, what is the better option to choose between B1/B2 and F-1?

 

FAQ Transcript

The H-1B 60-day grace period starts the day after your last pay period or working day, whichever is later. It's best to apply for a B1/B2 visa around the 50th–55th day (depending on how you apply online or by email) if transitioning and an F-1 visa if planning to study. The grace period counts toward the H-1B six-year cap, but B-1/-B2 time does not. For detailed scenarios and advice, refer to the video.

H-1B grace period eligibility after second layoff and B-1/B-2 visa options for job search

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I got laid off on H1B in my previous company but found and started a job in a new company within a 60-day grace period. Again, the current company has provided a notice period for layoff. Will I get a 60-day grace period again this time?

How easy it is to get a B1/B2 to find a job after a layoff.

 

FAQ Transcript

If you experience a layoff while on H-1B status, you receive a 60-day grace period. If you secure a new H-1B approval and face another layoff, you'll receive a fresh 60-day grace period. This applies to H-1B transfers and extensions. As for obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa for job searching after a layoff, while there's no official measure of difficulty, the approval rates appear to be consistently positive, with no reported denials.

Recording for September 26, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Topics Discussed:
FAQs: EB-2 NIW I-140 portability for employer-sponsored cases || Concerns regarding nonpayment of wages and potential H-1B impact || Maintaining LPR status (Green Card) during extended absences for employment || Rising NIW rejection rates: Examining changes in eligibility criteria

Recording for August 22, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

FAQs: EB-1A Use Case -- STEM OPT cloud solutions engineer at a nonprofit university || Layoff on H-1B, Changing status from B-1/B-2 pending to F-1 || Impact of layoff on green card status and future naturalization || H-1B laid off: Second B-1/B-2 visa extension



H-1B extension pending: Impact of traveling to India using old visa, returning with 2-3 days remaining on visa, etc.

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My current I-797 and H-1B visa stamping is valid until 03rd December 2024. I have filed for an extension. Can I travel to India while my H-1B extension is pending? Does it have any impact on my I-797 approval and its validity period, as my I-94 will be changed upon my reentry to the USA?

I am traveling to India for Medical reasons in the month of September and will return on December 1st, 2024. If my H-1B is not approved by December 1st, Can I enter the USA with 2-3 days of Visa stamp validity, and what justification could I give with only 2-3 days of stamping validity?

If my H-1B is approved while I am out of the country or during transit, Can I enter the USA with the existing H-1B stamping?

My work is remote, and I can work from anywhere. Can you provide me with a better solution than the 2 options below?

1. If my visa is not approved by then, I will travel to India and return to the USA before December 1st.

2. I will continue to stay in India until I get my visa approved and get the stamping done before reentry to the USA. Premium processing is no option for me as my employer will not support citing RFEs as the reason.

 

FAQ Transcript

If you have an H-1B visa from a previous employer that hasn't expired and your current employer has filed for an extension, you can travel outside the U.S. while the extension is pending. You can return with just a few days left on your old visa stamp. The visa is not tied to a specific employer, so as long as your old visa is valid, you should be able to re-enter the U.S.



However, it's important to carry proof of your pending extension when you return. While there is no official source confirming this, many individuals have successfully traveled under similar circumstances without issues.

 

Eligibility for 1-year H-1B extension under 365-day rule based on PERM filed on November 1, 2023

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My PERM was filed on November 1, 2023, and my current visa expires on October 10, 2024. Am I eligible to apply for a one-year extension based on the 356-day rule? If so, is July a good month to apply for a one-year extension?

OR do I need to travel back to my Country and apply for an extension after 1st November 2024?

 

FAQ Transcript

H-1B extensions beyond 6 years are possible through an approved I-140 or a PERM labor certification pending for 1 year. For PERM-based extensions, you can apply before the 1-year mark, but the extension only becomes effective after a full year. For example, if your PERM was filed on November 1, 2023, and your current H-1B expires in October 2024, you could apply for an extension in July 2024. However, the extension would only be effective from November 1, 2024. You may need to leave the country temporarily if there's a gap between your current H-1B expiration and the extension's effective date.

Extending parent's stay in the U.S. beyond six months on a B-2 visa

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I have a question about my mother's stay in the US on a visitor (B2) visa. I am an IT Professional in the US on an L1 work visa along with my family (spouse & kid). My only sibling (younger sister) is also settled here in the USA. My father passed away a couple of years back in India. My mother is 60+ years of age, and currently, there is no family member in India to stay with her at all times. She visits the USA and stays with us for six months at a stretch during the year. Considering her health and emotional support needs, I am looking for options to have her stay with us long-term (beyond a six-month period in a year). As is the case in this scenario, are there legally valid options/exceptions for old-age single parents?

 

FAQ Transcript

Yes, it is possible.

Moving to India in 2025 on H-1B extension, I-140 portability, and future U.S. opportunities

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I need to relocate to India for family reasons in 2025. My I-140 has been approved for over 180 days, and my initial H1B visa is valid until August 2025. I want to keep my options open if I decide to return to the US in the future.

1. Is there any difference in moving to India before or after filing for my H1B extension if I plan to return to the US with the same or different employer?

2. Additionally, is there a time limit within which I must return to the U.S. with the same or a different employer with an approved I-140?

3. Do I need to go through the H1B lottery again anytime if I want to return in the future?

4. Does it matter if my PD is current when I return to the US?

 

FAQ Transcript
  1. There is no difference.
  2. Definitely, in about six years, there will be no issue.
  3. No. 
  4. Yes, that can be a problem.
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