Need urgent help on H1B extension

[rahu_jakar]

Hi,

My US HIB petition and visa both are expiriing on Sep 2013. I am traveling to Japan now and may not be able to come back before that date. Is there any way of getting an extension without traveling to US? Do I need to be in US atleast 3 months before expiry or can I travel anytime till Sep? Do not want to wait till next April to file a fresh petition and wait for another 8-9 months to get a new visa. What are my options? If anyone can please help.

[kabkaba]

Your employer can file the extension max 6 months before the current petition expires. It will take 2 to 3 months in normal processing and 15 days in premium processing. After the new petition gets approved, you can apply for Visa using that petition at a US Consulate in Japan. Then whenever you want, you can travel to US with the new Visa and petition. It should not take 8-9 months (I don't know where you get that) if everything goes normally.