Priority Date FAQs

My GC was filed, and I-140 was approved in 2012. My PD is November 2012, which became current in March 2025. However, I changed employers a few years back. My current employer is willing to start my GC application but hasn't started yet. Do I really have only one year from the time my PD turned current to file for AOS? If yes, what are my options to maintain my H1 status?

I would appreciate some insights on my H-1B and green card process. Here’s my situation:

I currently have an H-1B visa valid until July 2027.

My company has filed for PERM with a priority date of October 2024.

If things go as expected, I anticipate my I-140 approval around May 2026 (with premium processing, if things go smoothly and I receive my DOL approval around Feb 2026, calculating around 15+ months from Oct 2024).

I’m considering moving to India around January/February 2027, which would be about 180 days after I-140 approval (if that helps retain I-140 benefits even if I go to India; if not, I would be moving earlier).

My questions:

Impact on H-1B if I move to India

What would happen to my H-1B if I joined a different employer in India?

What happens if I stay with the same U.S. employer but work from India?

Returning to the U.S. after H-1B expiration

If my H-1B expires while I’m in India and I haven’t renewed it, let's say that in the future, I will get an employer and want to re-enter the USA. Would the process be expected for the employer, like filing for a change of employer and me getting a new stamp in the Indian embassy, or would it have some additional complications?

I-140 and Priority Date Retention

Will my I-140 priority date remain intact if I am in India and later re-enter the USA for a different employer based on the answer to the above question?

If I get a new job in the U.S. later, what must my future employer do to transfer or use my existing priority date for the new green card process?