I was working as an IT professional and my H1-B visa expired on 13 december 2008 (I shifted to H4). I have been in this country for 10 years now and there are other factors involved too. Is there some way I can reactivate my H1-B visa status?
Once 6 years on H-1 are over, I know of only two ways to reactivate: go physically outside USA for one year, OR apply for a green card, one year after which you can extend your H-1 (or upon approval of I-140, whichever is earlier).
Recently (2009), I changed my status from H1B to H4. My Employer cancelled the H1B after I changed the status to H4 Visa. I have H1B petition document(I-797) with me.
1)Now Can I use existing H1B with the new employer?
2)Do I fall under quota or I need to file new H1B in this Year quota?
You will be exempt from the quota (assuming your previous employer was a private employer - NOT exempt from quota). The new employer will need to apply for an H-1 again.
I came to US on H-4, so I have only H-4 stamping in my passport. Got my H1b picked up in lottery two years back, and did COS to h1, and have approved i797A with I-94 and working with my current employer.
Got an offer from another company, and they filed my H1b transfer, and got the i-797A approval with I-94.
So my question here is, can I join the new company using the H1b transfer approval, even though I don’t have H1b stamp at all in my passport? Will this be a valid H1b transfer?, or should I go back to India to get my H1b stamping to join the new employer?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: H-1B portability without a visa stamp
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