I got my H-1B petition approved last year, it got extended as well. I have never used any of these visas to work in the U.S. though I have travelled few times to U.S. but on B-1 visa for meetings with the customers. So the question is when do I become exempt from the H-1 quota?
In your situation when you are outside the USA, you become exempt from the H-1 quota when you get your visa stamped. So I think USCIS interpretation of law is faulty and incorrect, because in my view as soon as H-1 is approved you should be exempt from the quota but USCIS has taken the position that unless you get the visa stamped from the consulate we will not consider you exempt if you are outside the USA. So it appears to me that you should be exempt from the quota.
Law offices of Rajiv S Khanna handled my H1B visa application. I am on H4-EAD and the initial consultation from Mr. Khanna was immensely useful. The team members, Shilpa and Anna were very responsive and proactive and the entire process was smooth. I strongly recommend Law offices of Rajiv S Khanna for visa and immigration purposes.