H1B renewal
 

Does anyone have any good links to sites explaining the visa renewal process for H1B?

I have an H1B that is due for renewal in December in this year and wanted more information about the process:
1. how much does it cost?
2. is this what is called visa revalidation?
3. how far in advance should I apply?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Adam Howitt

Re: H1B renewal
 

Go to a lawyer, you foreign cheapskate.

Re: H1B renewal
 

On Mon, 08 Jul 2002 18:20:07 -0700, earnshavian wrote:

    > Does anyone have any good links to sites explaining the visa renewal process
    > for H1B?
    >
    > I have an H1B that is due for renewal in December in this year and wanted more
    > information about the process: 1. how much does it cost?

It depends. The INS fees usually amount to $1130, unless this is the second renewal
with the same employer. You can add an extra $1000 to have it processed faster, but
that is generally not necessary for renewals. Just be sure to file the renewal before
the original H-1B expires (one day before is enough, in theory. In practice, you
would want to allow some leeway).

Lawyers will charge another $1000 to $3000 or so.

    >2.is this what is called visa revalidation?

No, this is called extension of status. Once your status has been extended (i.e., the
new H-1B has been approved), you can then send your passport to St. Louis and have
your visa (i.e., the stamp in your passport) revalidated there. This is optional, you
don't have to do it, but it can be a more convenient way than going to a US consulate
in your home country.

    >3. how far in advance should I apply?

No more than six months in advance, and it is perfectly fine to apply with just days
to spare. Once you filed, your old H-1B will be automatically extended by 240 days,
or until INS decides your case, whichever comes first. So you can just continue
working as if nothing had happened.

Ingo

Re: H1B renewal
 

Many thanks for your full, informative response.