L1B to H1B Conversion

[joydeep]

Hi,

 

I am presently in US on my L1B visa.  When my L1B which was approved on Oct 2010 (and i came to US by Feb 2011) got expired in August 2013, i went to Toronto-Canada and got my new L1B visa stamped and got my I-94 expiry date as March 2016 now.

 

If i want to apply for a L1B to H1B conversion by April 2014, how long can i stay in US on H1B assuming i get my H1B approved in October 2014 ?

 

Assuming that i get sponsored for H1B from a different employer in April 2014, how soon should i apply for GC so that i dont max out the H1B max 6 years (By October 2014, i would have completed 4.5 years in US on my L1B).

 

Please help. I am kind of confused whether to go for a H1B conversion or continue to stay in L1B until March 2016.

 

Thanks!

[jairichi]

From Oct 2014 you would have 1.5 years of H1B. It would be better if your H1B employer applies for GC immediately after you join in Oct 2014.

[joydeep]

Thank you for your reply! That helps!