Regarding Counter Reset in USA (L1B to H1B)

[H1BGEEKS]

Previously I have worked on L1B Visa with Employer A (for 3.8 years in US) and Employer B filed my H1B (COS) petition in April 2015. H1B petition was approved under premium processing by 2nd week of May 2015 itself. But due to some family situations, I traveled back to India in Jul 2015. I didn't work with Employer B starting from Oct 2015. In March 2016, I got my H1B visa stamped from India for Employer B and traveled back to US in Nov 2016. I started working with my Employer B from Nov 2016. Effectively, I have spent more then a year outside USA. 

Entry_Date Exit_Date Visa_Type 

16-Apr-2011 31-Dec-2011 L1B 

04-Jun-2012 15-Mar-2013 L1B 

07-Apr-2013 31-Jul-2015 L1B 

16-Nov-2016 ------ H1B 

With above mentioned dates, could you please confirm if my counter will be re-setted to 6 Years as per H1B norms ? For how long I can work legally on H1B visa in US ? How soon I have to start looking for GC sponsorship ?

[pontevecchio]

You need to be out for one year and then a cap subject H1 petition needs to be approved for you to retain another 6 years in total in H1 status.

[shekar11#]

Your clock will not be reset. You have 2.2 years left on your H-1 B. Need to start GC process 1 year before your expiry. In the next 1.2 years you need to start GC process.