I got a job offer at an academic institution here in Ohio which will sponsor me for H1B visa. I'm currently on a B1 visa & I've applied to extend my stay since February at Vermont center (haven't heard from them yet though they r now processing application filed in May!!) I also did an inquiry about my case & they replied saying that they r waitin to hear from another office more info which will help them decide on my I-539 application. (may be it's a security check or something). my original I-94 expired on Feb 14, and I requested an extension till August 5.
my question is, will that delay in the extension processing affect my H1 petition? the institution I'll work for is a big name & they sponsor H1 visas all the time, the lady who handles the visa paperwork at the institution told me it'd take about 2 weeks to hear from the INS about the H1 if we use premium processing. I explained my situation & the delay in the extension processing, she said it happens all the time & the INS r usually slow in such application & there shouldn't be a problem with my H1 application but also she can't guarantee anything. is there a possibility that they'll refuse my petition & ask me to go for a personal interview in my home country to get the H1 visa?? because if this happens it'd be too difficult to get an H1 from my country.
I really appreciate your input.
Thanks!
Howard.
my question is, will that delay in the extension processing affect my H1 petition? the institution I'll work for is a big name & they sponsor H1 visas all the time, the lady who handles the visa paperwork at the institution told me it'd take about 2 weeks to hear from the INS about the H1 if we use premium processing. I explained my situation & the delay in the extension processing, she said it happens all the time & the INS r usually slow in such application & there shouldn't be a problem with my H1 application but also she can't guarantee anything. is there a possibility that they'll refuse my petition & ask me to go for a personal interview in my home country to get the H1 visa?? because if this happens it'd be too difficult to get an H1 from my country.
I really appreciate your input.
Thanks!
Howard.