Change of status H4 to H1

[megha9]

Hi,

   I am on dependent H4 visa. From March  2016- June2016 , I was in India and I got H1 in 2016. I came back to US on h4 in july 2016 . 
1) Can I get COS from H4 to H1 upon H1 approval  or should i go back to India and get h1 stamped and come back?

 

 2) My employer suggests me to apply for COS as a new H1 application with normal  processing in 2017 april since premium is not avialable for this 6 months.

Can anyone suggests me how long its going to take to move my status to H1?

 

[Ask@Murthy]

With current backlog it can take up to 6 months. But, with premium process on hold temporarily from 04/03, regular processing time would improve. I am on the same boat and fingers crossed.

[megha9]

Thanks for the reply . Can I travel to india in the month of may in this situation ?