Does longer stay in B1 will have any affect on H1B

[logeshr85]

Hi,

I came to US twice in last one year with Business Visa B1 duration ( Aug - 2011 to December-2011 ) and ( Feb 2012 - July-2012 ) making the total duration of stay around 4-5 months on each travel for business purpose.

But i am travelling back within the I-94 expiry date.

My company has filed H1b , so now this prolonged stay in B1 travel will have any impact related to my H1B approval/interview.

[JoeF]

Hmm, 4-5 months each for business meetings and the like?

With the recent allegations about B1 abuse by a big Indian consulting company, there may be additional scrutiny.

[wiweq]

In my view, B1 visa is made for short term business trips like meetings, presentations etc. It’s not made for doing coding work for months, even though I 94 is not expired. If USCIS found you guilty of misusing B1, yes, you may be punished. If you are aware about B1/ H1b visa rules and think you didn't do anything beyond regulations then no need to worry, just wait for result.

[kalyan_ac]

No, as long as you have not violated the laws or went out of status that should not impact your H1b decision.

[pontevecchio]

No.

[thums123]

This alone should not have an impact but yes staying more than 4 weeks might result in extra scrutinization