H1B Period - Urgent Info needed

[srivatslib]

Hi

I had filed for my H1 extension whose 6 year validity i thought was only till June end this year(2012). However I received an approval notice valid until Mar 31st 2013.

Between the six year H1 period, I was out of country for about 11 months and 2 weeks. (not complete 1 year). Is there any chance that it was overlooked and I got the extension till mar 2013. Also my labor was pending (less than 365 days) when I filed for my extension but it got denied before my H1 got approved. Could there be a connection between the two?

Overall I want to know since I have a valid approval document can I continue on the H1 or not? and whether I should take any precautions for the future?

Please advise.

[wiweq]

It’s totally up to USCIS to decide the validity duration of H1b. If you think you have left some time on 6 yrs quota, ask your employer to file the extension when needed.