H1B Extension still pending - 240 days expired after the previous H1B/I-94 expiration

[ashlearning]

Hi All,

Any help/suggestions/experts advise is very helpful for me. 

My I-94 /H1B expired in Nov 2016, my employer filed H1B extension in Oct 2016 and I have not received any response and I am going to hit 240 day rule next week. I just came to know today about this 240 rule and cannot work legally however I can stay in US until I get my approval. My attorney advised to take PTO/vacations which I have accumulated so far(3 weeks). I checked my extension status and it states, my application has been moved to different USCIS processing center.(not sure why & what does it mean to me)

My concerns are,

1. What if I did not receive any response from USCIS before i finish my PTO's?

2. Not sure if i can quit my current job( full time) and join the same company immediately? Can I do this while my H1B extension is still pending. I mean can the same employer file a new H1B while the other one from the same employer is under processing?

3. What are the options do I have now in this situation? So that I do not loose my job and status.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in Advance!

Ash.

 

[preety84]

Hi did you get any response on your application? What did you decide as next steps?

[nik125]

Wait is only option for you.. Your employer should have filed your extension 6 months before your expiration of h1b.