Question details
My 6 year period of H1b visa expires in Dec 2010 and my labor application is still pending for approval. It was filed in February 2009. Am I eligible to apply for a visa extension , if so when should I apply for that? I assume I still have time.
H-1 extension beyond six years can be obtained under two circumstances:
First, indefinite H-1 extensions in one-year increments can be obtained, if the I-140 (or I-485) was filed and the green card process was started a year ago. The GC process is started for:
- Labor Certification based cases (including PERM) the date for the begining of the countdown is the date when the labor certification is officially received:
- for PRE PERM cases - by the local office (SWA); and
I worked with Rajiv and Diane for my EB1-B greencard petition. The initial consultations with Rajiv were a big help in understanding my eligibility (I have a PhD and work as a scientist at a Biotech company) and the paperwork required for the petition. Diane’s amazing organizational skills made the daunting process of preparing the I-140 petition very manageable. The I-140 was approved within a week of submission which is a testament to how thoroughly prepared it was. Due to the dates for EB1 India being retrogressed, the I-485 (adjustment of status) process took 3 years during which the office helped me with switching jobs via AC21 portability, renewing three EAD/AP cards and answering any questions that I may have had. The sense of urgency and empathy from both Diane and Rajiv at every step is what makes them the best at what they do. They are of course also incredibly knowledgeable and in step with all the various changes that have rapidly occurred in immigration. My husband and I finally have our green cards and we can’t thank the team at the Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna enough for everything they do.