H-1B Visa

During the last three years on H-1B, I have spent approximately one year outside of the US (multiple visits to India). What is the procedure to recapture that time and add it back to my H-1B total time?

Scenario: Currently working for company A. Company B has filed H1B petition and gotten approval for Oct 1st start date. Unfortunately, Project with company B goes away before Oct 1 and company B doesn't revoke my visa before Oct 1st.

1) Since I will automatically move to H1B on Oct 1st and I don't have that project anymore, can I continue to work for my current employer using the new H1B visa? (What options I have if I want to use the new H1B visa and work for the same employer?)

2) In the same case, will company A be notified about my new H1B visa on Oct 1st?

3) Will company A have to rehire me for H-1B transfer? or can I continue to work with them while the transfer is pending?

4) How would it work if I find a new project through a new company C? Would they need to file for H-1B transfer as well ?

5) What info can USCIS ask for H-1B transfer in that case? What sort of RFEs may come up?

Two general questions,

1. What are the benefits of filing an EB2 NIW for a person whose I-140 has already been approved by an employer in the same category apart from NIW, not depending on your employer? Also, can you get your I140 approved priority date to your NIW?

2. Is it possible to renew the H-1B visa stamp before expiration? For example, if my H1B expires on November 1st and I apply for a visa stamp in October with approved extension I797, Would I be able to renew it?

1) Is H1B cap-exempt to H1B lottery-based considered a change of status?

2) If I currently have an H1B cap-exempt visa and am filing for an H1B petition in June, when can I not travel outside of the US - from now to June, June to Petition Approval, or from Petition Approval to Oct ? My current H1B visa would be valid until Nov.

Case: Picked for H1B lottery.

- What happens if the company lays off after June but before October 1? Would I stay on my current visa status? Or will I be on H1B but with a 60-day timeline to find the next job?

- Does the status automatically change to H1B on Oct 1? or does immigration require paystubs for a couple of weeks to prove our employment?

- If I file the petition with two companies separately, how will immigration decide which one to approve? Will they approve both?

- Are there any travel restrictions from June to Sept