Start date on New I-797(H1-B Extension)

[usah1b8]

Hi All,

My H1B will expire on Sep 30th 2013. I am planning to apply for H1B extension by April 10th 2013(Premium Processing) and If it is approved on april 30th 2013 for 3 years. What will be the start date on my New I-797? Will it be April 30th 2013(Approval date) or Oct 1 2013(date after my current H1B expires)?? Please suggest.

Thank in advance.

[wiweq]

Start-date should be given in LCA/ H1b petition as Oct 1st, 2013.

[Praveenj]

It will be 01oct13. I was in same situation last year!

Here is my Experience:

1. Initial H1B Dec2008 to Sep2011. Did stamping in Chennai.

2. Sep2011 to 31Dec2012. Got H1B extension, not left US (no stamping, that is stamping required).

3. Applied for next extension under premium in Oct2012 and got it for 1 year starting from 01Jan2013 to 31Dec2013.

Went for stamping to Ottawa on 23Oct12 using new I-797 which starts from 01Jan2013.

Got visa starting (issued for the period) from 23Oct2012 to 31Dec2013.

Conclusion: We need to use latest I-797 to attend interview, even though starting date is in future.