Can I Travel When My H1b Extension Case In Progress?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Travel on H1B While H1B Extension of Stay or H1B Amendment Is Pending With The Same Employer. b. He/she is going to return to the US before the expiration of the current H1B approval notice. Simply put,

if the individual’s original H1B status has not expired, then H1B travel outside the US is generally allowed

.

Can I travel after applying for visa extension?


You may allowed to stay in the US for 240 days after the expiration date on your I-94

, provided you have filed for extension of your stay before your I-94 expired and your application is still under review.

Can I travel when my h1 extension is in process?


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.

Can I stay in US while waiting for H1B extension?

The 240-day rule allows an H1B visa worker to stay and work in the USA for up to 240 days or USCIS takes a decision (whichever is earlier) while the H1B extension is pending with USCIS after i94 expiry.

Can I travel while my adjustment of status is pending?

Adjustment applicants who are in valid H-1B status, and their dependents, can travel abroad and reenter the United States in H status while an I-485 is pending, without having to obtain advance parole. The H1B must still be eligible for H status and returning to the previously approved employer.

What happens to H-1B if I leave country?

Employer does NOT pay costs of return trip home: Under U.S. immigration regulations at 8 C.F.R. 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(E), employers must pay the reasonable costs of transporting H-1B workers back to their home country. However, if the a quits,

the employer is NOT responsible for paying these costs

.

Can you travel while I-539 is pending?

If you travel abroad while a change of status application (I-539) is pending,

USCIS considers the application abandoned and will reject it

. You will need to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a new visa to re-enter.

Can I travel while my i 140 is pending?


You should not travel internationally while the travel document is pending

, or the entire process will be considered abandoned and your adjustment of status denied. After several months of waiting, you should then be scheduled for an interview with a USCIS officer.

Can you travel after H-1B approval?

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

If you already hold a valid H-1B visa stamp in your passport, we recommend that you take the following documents with you when you leave the U.S.:

Copy of the I-797 approval notice for the H-1B petition

* Evidence that you are maintaining your H-1B status (A letter from your employer.

Can you stay in the US while waiting for visa extension?

Once you submit your application for an extension of status,

you are permitted to remain in the U.S. until you receive a decision from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

—even if your permitted stay expires while USCIS is considering your application.

What happens if my visa extension is denied?

As long as you filed the extension application before the expiration date of the current I-94 form, you are in legal status as long as the application is pending or for 240 days, whichever comes first. However, if you are still in the U.S. when your extension application is denied,

you immediately go out of status

.

Can I enter US if my visa expires in 3 months?

A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the United States, but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States.

How many days we can stay in US after H-1B Extension Denied?

USCIS allows you to stay in the US for

60 days

if you lose your job. You can search for a new H1B employer within this time and start your payroll on or before the 60th day to get back to H1B status. Some people also plan their exit from company using the 60 day grace period but I do not recommend doing it.

How many days can I stay in USA after my h1 visa expires?


60-Day Maximum Grace Period

The new rule provides that you’re still in lawful status, in other words permitted to remain in the U.S., for up to 60 days between jobs.

What is the 240-day rule?

When an employer timely files a petition for an employee in H-1B, H-1B1, O-1, E-3 or TN status to extend their employment in the same status, the employee may continue to work for the sponsoring employer for an additional 240 days beyond their current status end date. This is commonly referred to as the 240-day rule.

Can I travel while my i 90 is pending?

No matter the case, the processing time for an I-90 application is typically 8-10 months, which means, most likely,

the LPR in question will have to postpone international travel until they receive their new green card

.

Can I travel while I-130 is pending?

If you are a foreign spouse,

you may apply to enter the United States via a tourist visa if you have a pending I-130 petition

, and wish to go back to your home country after the visit.

Can I travel while my green card is processing?


You can’t leave the country until you have your approved travel document in hand

, so you should expect to spend the 3–5 months after submitting your green card application in the United States. Theoretically, you could be out of the United States for as long as you have a travel document (one year plus renewals).

Is it true that if you have had H-1B in the last 6 years you can apply for a new H1B visa without the quota restrictions?


After working for a solid six years, the H1B holder must remain outside of the US for a full year before being able to apply for another H1B for a fresh six years

. When she does reapply, she will be subject to the cap.

Can I apply H-1B extension from India?

“Recapturing” that time spent abroad is one way to be granted an H-1B visa extension.

The foreign professional may request an H-1B extension if he/she traveled outside the United States during the validity of the visa

. The applicant is obligated to submit U.S. entry and return dates, I-94 copies, and related stamps.

What happens if I leave the US before my I-539 Application to Extend status is approved?

If you leave the U.S. before a decision is made on your application to extend and you plan to return to the U.S. in the future, please keep a copy of your application plus the receipt notice to show to the Immigration Inspector on your return travel to the U.S. Otherwise,

you may be denied entry for overstaying on your

How long does it take for I-539 to be approved?

I-539 petitions sent to the California Service Center take

1 – 5 months

to process, while petitions sent to the Nebraska Service Center take 6 – 8 months. Petitions handled by the National Benefits Center have the best processing times with a turnaround time of as little as one week.

What happens if I-539 is approved?

Once the Form I-539 is approved,

the applicant is in a position to extend stay or transition to the new status

(from the start date indicated on the Form I-539). Until receiving the approval, the applicant cannot engage in any activities that require being in the new status.

Can I travel while I 131 is pending?


Individuals may travel on the approved advanced parole document, provided the document is valid for the entire duration of the time abroad

. The pending Form I-131 will not be considered abandoned in this situation.

Can I travel on H1B while I 485 is pending?


You can travel and your pending I485 (with or without Advance parole) will not be abandoned if you have one of these visa types to re-enter the USA

: Work visas like H1B and its dependent H4, L-1, and its dependent L2. K-3 spouse or a K-4 child of a US citizen.

Can I travel during change of status?

Travel outside the U.S. while application is pending:

Do not travel outside of the U.S. while your change of status case is pending

. If you leave the country, USCIS will consider your application abandoned.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.