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Guestbook Entry for NChakraborty, United States
H-1B and I-140: Moving to India & Future Return to the U.S.
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?
If you move to India (or another country) after your I-140 approval, your H-1B with your current employer will likely be revoked unless they continue paying your U.S. salary. If your H-1B expires while you are abroad, you can return to the U.S. on H-1B with any employer, as your I-140 remains valid after 180 days. However, you must restart your green card process with a new employer. Your I-140 priority date remains intact, even if you switch from EB-2 to NIW or EB-1A.
Rajiv and team was an excellent support and a great help for one of GC case.
Case: The applicant is working with company A and have I-140 under EB3. Applicant want to move to other company and want to port the priority date under EB2. Solution: Rajiv and team (Art) have created a customized plan to achieve this success. Rajiv was personally involved to make sure all the paper works are correct. Based on his 25 years experience and a novel team he could able to successfully port the new I-140 under EB2 with older priority date. Not only that, he also filed the I-485 along with new I-140. His fee for the whole process was very competitive. More over that, he and his team support in through out the process was unparalleled. He and his team was always answered the question asked without any delay. This is great service providing by your firm and making sure every case is managed under the immigration law of this country and open the path for more legal immigration like this applicant. Thanks!