B1 visa to J1 (research scholar) status change advisable?

[hadrons123]

I am on a B1 visa with i94 ending on march first week. I have got a DS2019 form from my university to join research position on january 1 ,2015. I wanted to know if it is advisable to do a status change with i539 form by staying in US. Since i recieved the DS2019 form on a short notice, I have not made travel plans to my home country. I understand that I would not be able to take up the research position until I get a approval of status change from USCIS. I was told it usually takes 2-4 months.

 

[jairichi]

Since you well know that it takes 3 - 4 months for approval and you cannot join employer during that time it is better if you go for J1 visa stamping. Will your employer wait for those 3 to 4 months? Just in case if your COS to J1 is denied you will still have to exit US for J1 visa stamping. This will delay you joining J1 employer further.