Can I change from B1 to H1?

[vsk417]

Hi,

I am facing similar situation now.I am currently in Pune,India.I am holding a US Business Visa valid till 2017.I have visited couple of times earlier with MY b1 VISA.

Now I found a company in US,who is willing to hire me as their employee in US.But we doN't have much time.So I am trying to find out

1).If I can first travel to US on my existing B1 visa and start working there and then apply for change of status(from B1 to L1/H1) after reaching US ?

2).Suppose if i get approval for change of status while in US,do I need to come back to India again for H1/L1 stamping ?

3). Did anyone here has experience in changing the status from B1 to H1 while staying in US ?

Request you to please respond as I am dying to find this out,

Thanks,

Abhay Joshi

[JoeF]

An H1 can only be filed from April, with a start date of October 1.

And on B1, you are not allowed to work for a US company.

In short, this is not going to work the way you think.

[t75]

If the company is suggesting this option, find a new employer!

[Peppy]

Hi,

I'm on visit visa and want to change from H1/F1. How do i proceed? should i go back to india for H1 stamping? What would be the best option please suggest..

[satya2k1]

Peppy,

Apply for change of status to H1 or F1, depending on available documents, at USCIS. If they approve, you are safe. Otherwise, you continue on visitor visa. Other option is go to Canada or other country and get H1 or F1 visa stamping, at POE you get new I94 card with new status.