Expired H1B petition/Did not travel to USA/Re apply

[Pratik Dhar]

Hi All,

My H1B petition expired on 4th Jan 2014.I did not travel to USA.Can someone please answer my below queries.I have switched from my last company.

1.Can I reapply for via any consultancy H1 based on the expired petition since I heard an H1B is basically valid for 6 years.

2.Can my expired visa be extended from India if I happen to buy it out from my previous company?

3.Is there any other feasible alternative?

[Nattybone]

Hello, Pratik.

Once an H1B is approved, it stays in the system. It is for 6 years. Once your petition has been approved, you could move your visa to any another sponsor. Answering your questions:
1.Can I reapply for via any consultancy H1 based on the expired petition since I heard an H1B is basically valid for 6 years. yes. The H1 is already there, you just need to find another sponsor and have a transfer petition filed.

2.Can my expired visa be extended from India if I happen to buy it out from my previous company? Yes. The way a petition is first time filed from India. Same way, an extension / transfer can also be filed in USA, while you are in India. Why do you mean by buying? This is your visa. The company is only a sponsor.

3.Is there any other feasible alternative? Find an employer in USA. There is no alternative to this. If you know someone, it becomes quite easy.

I hope this helps.

Hi All,

My H1B petition expired on 4th Jan 2014.I did not travel to USA.Can someone please answer my below queries.I have switched from my last company.

1.Can I reapply for via any consultancy H1 based on the expired petition since I heard an H1B is basically valid for 6 years.

2.Can my expired visa be extended from India if I happen to buy it out from my previous company?

3.Is there any other feasible alternative?