H1 to F1 and again back to H1

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Hello people,

Hope somebody answers this..

About myself:

1) Came to US on H1B Visa stamped in Chennai, India in Feb 2000
2) Transfered H1B visa to a different company and again got the new visa stamped in Chennai, India
3) Applied for change of status from H1B to F1 in sept 2001 and the status was approved in Jan 2002.
4) Applied for F1 OPT in Feb 2003 and approved.
5) Currently on F1 OPT Visa.

These are the questions.

1) Since I have already spent almost 2 yrs on H1 and then close to 1.5 yrs on F1, How many years of H1 do I have now...is it 4 yrs or do I have a fresh 6yrs since I changed my status from H1B to F1 and was in F1 for more than an year.

2) Since I already had my H1B stamped in my home country India twice...if I get a job and H1B now...should I leave US and get the visa (say to Canada or Mexico since my visa status is technically changing from F1 to H1) or can I send my passport to St. Louis/ Washington DC to get the new H1B visa stamped.


Thanks for your help and time

Best Regards

 

[jaxen]

1. I think to be eligible for a fresh 6 years, you should have stayed out of US continuously 1 year, so you have only 4 years of H1 left.

2. You have to get it stamped in a US consulate.

 

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I might be wrong on these...

I heard from few people that once you are on a different status for atleast a year or stay outside US for atleast 1 year you get 6 years back.

and also on getting it stamped in St. Louis...I thought all that they need is one H1B stamped outside US in any consulate..

Please correct me if I am wrong