Change visa status from H1B to B2
Hi, Laid off candidate here. I am trying to understand how the process of transferring the visa status to B2 works. I was depending on two companies that I am interviewing. But I got rejected from one and another one cancelled the interview. I don't have much time left. Can someone help me with my questions 1. How long does the entire process takes if I start to apply now. I have only upto end of this month for my unemployment days to be over. 2. Can someone point me to an exact link (youtube or anything else) that explains the process of applying change of status online. Most of videos that I found are for paper filing. #h1b #B2 #usvisa #immigration
Monster JonyGaddar Jul 27, 2023
Did you end up changing status to b2?
Sorry to hear that but let me explain why you have a lot more time than you think. So you need to file I539 (change of status) application for B2 visa just few days before you 60 day grace period expires. You have to make sure that it arrives at USCIS before the end of grace period. It will stay pending for a few months before it gets approved. If it doesn't get approved for whatever reason, you become out of status on the date of rejection. So be diligent in filing (no errors). Most likely you will approved. Now, once it gets approved you should have 6 months from the date of your filing to stay in the country. It make take few months to get approved. Now, that gives you six months beyond your grace period to stay here. But the catch is, if you find a new employer within that time, you need to leave the country, get an h1b stamp, then come back. This is the part I do not fully understand so please do your diligence on reading more. One link might help is: https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/best-practices-for-extending-or-changing-to-b-1-and-b-2-visitor-status/#:~:text=The%20basic%20way%20to%20extend,the%20I%2D539%20filing%20requirements. Good luck!
What if you have a stamp that is not expiring ? Do I still need to stamp ?
I do not know.....