First time H1B renewal or extension

[rukmani.p]

Dear Admin,

I am on H1B since January 2010. My H1B is coming up for renewal around June 2012. I would like to know about the following:

1. When should I start to ask my employer to start the renewal or extension application? Or would this be an automatic process?
2. When should I start to request for GC petition with my employer?
3. How long does the GC request take place to complete? Am I allowed to switch employer whilst a GC petition is going on and would that gesture affect my ongoing GC petition? Once the GC petition is approved, would I be equipped to switch employers at my ease unlike my H1B which is tied to my current employer?

 

[ginnu]

Dear Admin,

I am on H1B since January 2010. My H1B is coming up for renewal around June 2012. I would like to know about the following:

1. When should I start to ask my employer to start the renewal or extension application?
   ------------------------6 months BEFORE of your I-94 expiry date OR Employer can file H1 Extension any day BEFORE I-94 expires. Extension Petition must reach USCIS BEFORE I-94 gets expired
   Or would this be an automatic process?
   ------------- NO automatic process.
2. When should I start to request for GC petition with my employer?
   --------------ASAP
3. How long does the GC request take place to complete?
   ------ First employer has to file LC for you and once LC gets approved then I-140 and then I-485 to be filed and approved. time depends on your country of Birth and if filed in Eb1 or EB2 or EB3. if you belong to India and LC is EB3 or EB2 expect 6-7 years
   Am I allowed to switch employer whilst a GC petition is going on
   ---If I-140 approved and I-485 pending more than 180 days and new employer has same/similar job offer
   and would that gesture affect my ongoing GC petition? Once the GC petition is approved, would I be equipped to switch employers at my ease unlike my H1B which is tied to my current employer?

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