H1B expiring on March 2006: can I stay longer??

[gordon978]

Hi all,

my H1B is expiring on March 31st 2006. Will I have a period of time to stay in US after that??

Or do I have to leave the country on that day??

As I am italian and I don't need a tourist Visa, if I stay up to 90 days, sohuld I leave the country on that day and re-enter as tourist to organize my staff: shipping furniture, selling car, etc??

Thanx

 

[GotPR?]

Your I94 most likely has same expiration date as H1. You can not stay
beyond I94 expiration unless you extend your H1 and I94.

To be in the US, you need legal status.. No visa required under VWP
does not mean you do not have status, but you have status under VWP.
If you want to be in the US as VW, you need to change status from H1 to
VW whihc I believe is not possible. You need to reenter under VWP.

 

[gordon978]

Thank you!!

But if I exit US, for example going to Canada on March 31, can I re-enter as Turist under VWP one or two days later?? And I could stay another 90 days, right??

Thank you again

 

[GotPR?]

Thank you!!

But if I exit US, for example going to Canada on March 31, can I re-enter as Turist under VWP one or two days later?? And I could stay another 90 days, right??

Thank you again

Yes, you can stay another 90days if you enter under VWP.
There is always risk of entry denial if people use VWP. Immigration officer
at POE has full authority for that... your case is you exit the US and then
enter a few days later under VWP so that you may get scrutinized.
I know some person who was in similar situation and she was sent to 2nd
inspection at POE, but she explained she entered the US to take care of moving out such as selling car, close utility account etc.. then she was allowed to enter.

BTW, you need return ticket to other country or island which are not adjacent to the US teritory when you enter the US under VWP and you may
need to pay $6 if you enter through land border.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html