H1B 6 year meter

[sr16]

My original H1 Petition was created in October 2003. Visa was stamped from December 2003- October -2006.

I stayed in US for 5 months in 2004 ( June -October 2004). went back home and stayed in India for 15 months.
This time I came back in Feb 2006. I94 expired in October 2006. Got an extension until July 2008.

The question is. Will the 6 year meter

1.Start from October 2003 and end in October 2009?- I have to leave in October 2009?
2. Start from October 2003 and include only the number of months I have stayed here. Total of 72 months of stay?- I have stayed only for 20 months. Will I have 52 more months?
3. The meter gets reset in Feb 2006 as I was away from US for more than 1 year?

 

[Dhoorjati]

Hi sr16,

I am also in a similar situation. I came here last on L1 in 2003 and stayed here for 1 year. Went back in Dec, 2003. Came back here in July, 2005 on H1B for the first time.

I understand that if you stay out of USA for more than a year, the 6 year period starts fresh.

Can some one please let me know if this understanding is correct?

Thanks in advance.

 

[GotPR?]

I understand that if you stay out of USA for more than a year, the 6 year period starts fresh.

Can some one please let me know if this understanding is correct?

Thanks in advance.

if one stayed abroad more than a year, they are eligible to 6 year new H1 which comes under quota. In that case, 6 year clock gets reset.
But if beneficiary opted for not applying brand new H1 and entered the US with old H1, 6 year clocks keeps ticking w/o reset. All the stay in the US under H1 and L1 should be less than 6 years.

6 year clock ticks whenever you are in the US under H1 and L1 status.