Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

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Limitations on H1B Extensions Beyond the Standard Six-Year Limit

3 min read
Immigration Support

Generally, a foreign national is restricted to a maximum duration of stay of six years in H1B status. The law, however, gives a couple of exemptions to this limitation. Depending on the circumstances, an individual might qualify to extend status in one-or three-year increase beyond the statutory six-year limit. Understanding when an H1B worker is eligible for these expansions – and the limits on when such H1B Extensions might be granted – can be critical to a foreign national’s journey toward working in the United States while applying to become a legal permanent resident (i.e., “green card” holder) of the United States.

H1B Extensions in One-Year Increments

The general rule that considers augmentations past the six-year limit in one-year increases requires the initial filing of an employment-based, permanent residence (“green card”) case at least 365 days before the start date requested in the H1B extension. This implies that the main stage of the case must have been filed at least 365 days. Before the start date requested in the H1B extension. Which requests time beyond the standard maximum of six years. The most important phase in an employment-based green card case is usually the PERM labor confirmation. In those cases that don’t need a labor certification. The I-140 immigrant petition is the first stage for eligibility for these extensions.

The H-1B Extensions in Three-Year Increments

The general rule that considers H1B extensions in three-year increases past the legal six-year limit is relatively straightforward. To qualify, the H1B petitioner requirements to establish that the beneficiary has an approved I-140 petition and that an immigrant visa number isn’t immediately available as indicated on the final action chart (i.e., Chart A) of the U.S. Department of State visa bulletin.

H1B Extensions are Not Unlimited

As recently noted, if an individual’s need date is current, the individual isn’t eligible for H-1B extensions in three-year increases based on the approved I-140 petition. The individual might be qualified to extend H1B status in one-year increments.

In any case, there is an essential limitation on one-year extensions. If an individual’s need date stayed current on Chart A for one continuous year. If the H1B worker neglected to pursue a green card based on an approved I-140 petition (i.e., filed an I-485 adjustment of status application or applied for an immigrant visa) during that one year. That individual typically will never again meet all requirements for extensions in one-year increases.

[DHS Proposes Authority to Permit Alternatives to In-Person Inspection of I-9 Documents]

If the one year is interrupted by retrogression, then the one-year period will begin over once the priority date becomes current again on Chart A. Also, even if the individual neglects to pursue a green card. During the one continuous year of the priority date being current, the H1B worker might request that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) exercise its discretion to still grant a one-year extension based on circumstances beyond the individual’s control. For example, if the H1B worker has moved to an alternate employer from the I-140 petitioner. It could be possible to argue that a one-year extension still should be granted.

Conclusion

With the unusually quick advancement of employment-based cutoff dates in the visa bulletin over the last two years. This limitation on H1B expansions has become more of an issue, particularly among Indian-born H1B workers. The limitation on H1B extensions is yet another example of why it is so vital to plan and develop a long-term immigration plan.

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