Staying before Oct 2012

[l1btol1a]

Hi Guys,

Please advise me regarding the following thing.

I am on L-1B and it expires on May 2012. If I apply for H-1B on April 2012 and assume it will approve. Can I stay still October 2012 and start working on H-1B or I need to leave the country and stamped and come back again?

Thank you,
Kiran

[kabkaba]

Since there is a gap between your L1 I-94 expiry and Oct 1. You will not get change of status with your H1 approval. So you will have to leave the country.
If your L1 I-94 is however extended up to or beyond Oct 1, you can change status and continuously stay in the US.