JoeF

There is no sponsoring for visitor visas. So there is no problem.

It is nowadays not allowed anymore to work at a client site on STEM OPT. You need to work at your employer's location.

You can only get an H1 if the original position continues to exist until you start on the H1. A different position means the H1 is gone. And you'll likely have problems due to the CPT, anyway. That's a big red flag nowadays.

All consulate have the same information. Rejections don't depend on the consulate. They depend on the legitimacy of the H1.

If you are not a Canadian citizen you need a visa (or, if you are a citizen of a country under the visa waiver program, mostly European and Australia, you can use the visa waiver program.)

You get a new 60 day grace period (or until the I-94 expires, whichever is shorter.)

If you travel in international waters or enter the Bahamas you will get a new I-94 on return. AVR in the Caribbean only applies to people on F1.

If the H1 petition is pending when the I.94 expires you can use the 240 day rule. If the H1 petition was not frivolous a denial would result in an overstay from the day of denial.

If you haven't used the whole 6 years an employer can file a cap-exempt H1. You would get 6 years minus the time already spent in H1 or L1 status. From your narrative it seems you have used the full 6 years. So you don't have any time left. The old petition seems to have been approved erroneously for longer than you were eligible. An employer can file a new H1 for you in the quota in April 2020 for a start date of Oct. 2020.

How about creating your own post and not hijacking somebody else's? If you have not worked for the H1 employer with the H1 you are not cap-exempt. A new employer can file an H1 for you April 2020 for a start date of Oct. 2020.

They only process the EAD once the person is in H4 status. So, a gap in employment is likely.

No, that is not allowed on H1. You can NEVER work as freelancer while on H1. And where and how you are paid is irrelevant. It matters where you are located. If you are in the US in H1 status you can ONLY work for your employer. And you have to report your worldwide income on your US tax returns, anyway.

The company needs to file a new H1.

If you have 9 years experience you should get paid waaay more than level one. Level 1 is for people right out of college. The employer is shady and paying you less than what you should be getting. Find a better employer, one who doesn't screw you over.

Are you in the US? Have you worked in that client project?