How long can we stay outside US on H1B?

The initial maximum period of validity is three years (sometimes less), and that is not changed or extended by any time spent outside the US. The clock keeps ticking on the three-year period even while you are abroad.

Can I travel after H1B lottery?

You must not travel outside of the U.S. while the petition is pending. Leaving the country while USCIS is reviewing your petition will cause USCIS to consider your petition for a change of status to be abandoned. Once USCIS approves your change of status petition, you may travel internationally.

Can I stay in India for 6 months on H-1B?

Simple answer is: Yes, H1-B holders can work remotely from a different location, including another country like India.

How long H-1B can work from India?

Working from India on US payroll is not allowed unless you have some US work visas like H1B or L1 and for a short duration of 1 to 5 months. Many people who exhaust their H1B 6-year quota leave the USA. They wait outside the USA for their H1B extension result and work remotely as an IT worker from their country.

Will I know if my H1B visa petition is selected in lottery?

Yes, until the H1b Visa Package is Returned, you will not know for sure if your H1B Visa petition is selected in the lottery. When would that be? Before we see the chart for that, let’s look at how the information flows between And three examples are depending on the type of process your employers follow.

Can I travel while my H1B application is pending approval?

You can also receive a second RFE if the documents submitted by your employer are not sufficient or are missing something that USCIS asked in the first RFE. You can travel while your H1B application is pending approval after it has been selected in Lottery. But, you would need a valid US visa (other than H1B) to re-enter the USA.

How many H1B visas are approved each year?

While the United States Citizen and Immigration Services agency approves around 200,000 H1B visa petitions each year on average, only 65,000 are granted visas through the lottery. 20,000 additional petitions are entered into the lottery for advanced degree exemption, which awards visas to applicants with Masters and Ph.D. degrees.

Can I transfer my H1B status to another company?

Legally, you can file an H1B transfer on Oct 1st as well, but USCIS may issue an RFE asking for previous H1B status which can only be proved if you actually were employed for at least 1 day. Your H1B employer from the lottery is obligated by USCIS to withdraw your H1B petition once you have stopped working for them.