Can H1b visa be extended after 1 year

[rashi.sharma]

Hi,

 

I am shifting to a new employer after working for my current employer for about 7-8 months.

My H1b-visa is valid till Oct 2015

 

The new employer has given me the option to extend my current H1b-vsa till Oct 2016 visa along with transfer to the new employer.

I am not sure if this is a wise move because I do not know if H1b visa can be extended multiple times.

 

Can I extend the visa right now till 2016 and then extend it again for another 2 years after that?

Or if H1b-visa can be extended only once, then I should extend it only in 2015 so that its valid till 2018?

 

I would like it to be extended till 2016 so that I have longer peace of mind.

At the same time, I also want my visa to be valid till the maximum time of 2018.

This is possible only if multiple extensions are allowed.

If multiple extensions are not allowed, then I will get the visa extended in 2015 only.

 

 

Please advise.

Sorry for the long post and plenty of thanks in advance !

[omshiv]

When did your H1 start? Anyways there is no issue in extending your H1B as long as its within the 6 yr limit and you have recaptured the time spend outside US. Also if your I-140 is pending or approved, then again your H1B can be extended.

[rashi.sharma]

My H1b began in Oct 2012 and is valid till Sep 2015.

The new company wants to extend it till Sep 2016 while they are doing a transfer.