H1B extension & stamping. when & how?

[Praveenj]

Hi All,

I filed my h1b extension in Dec2011 and got for only 1 year i.e., till 31Dec2012.

I have not traveled back to India as of now and planning to file next extension (premium) around 01July2012 (as per USCIS v can file 6 months in advance).

Now my question is, the new I-797 will be from the date of approval (lets say 15July2012) or from 01Jan2013??

If I visit india after approval (lets say 01Aug2012), I need to go for stamping on old extension i.e., 01jan12 to 31dec12 or new extension??

If i get stamping on old extension, then its valid till 31dec2012 only and another stamping is required if I visit India again in 2013....which is little bit painful and tension once again....:-)

Thanks in Advance.....

[kalyan_ac]

You always go for stamping with the latest I797 not the old ones.

As for the validity dates, that depends on your case details.