6 yrs limit after changing from H1 to full-time student status
 

Hello Experts,

I am on H1 visa from past 3 1/2 years in US and I am planning to go to school full-time. Now my question is after I change my status from H1 to student status, the 6 year H1 period is still considered or will I be off H1 status?

Any information provided is highlt appreciated.

Thanks & Regards,

Balaji.

Re: 6 yrs limit after changing from H1 to full-time student status
 

On Wed, 24 Jul 2002 09:20:05 -0700, Balaji wrote:

    > Hello Experts,
    >
    > I am on H1 visa from past 3 1/2 years in US and I am planning to go to school
    > full-time. Now my question is after I change my status from H1 to student status,
    > the 6 year H1 period is still considered or will I be off H1 status?

The six years only count time you spent on H-1 or L-1 status. Student status is F-1,
so it won't count towards the six years. However, the clock is only suspended, not
reset. That is, once you graduate, you will only get 2 1/2 years rather than six
years. To get the full six years again, you'd have to actually leave the US for at
least one year.

Ingo