I-94 Expiration Date is at a later date than I-797B Expiration Date for H1B Visa

[Amlan Sengupta]

Hi All,

I require some help regarding the below 2 points:

1. If my I-797B expiry date is 15th June 2016 but my I-94 expiry date is 30th September 2018, then can I raise visa extension between the 2 dates, i.e. after the I-797B has expired but I-94 is still valid?
2. If I apply for an extension now, can I go back to India in the middle of the extension getting approved or I need to be physically present in USA till the extension is approved?

[kabkaba]

Why are those two dates different?