H1b extension - Travel

[dipsoni]

My H1b (1st 3 yrs) ends on 29th April' 2010. I intend to travel in Jan last week and return back to US in mid Feb' 2010.

I have few questions:

How many days before your visa expires is one comfortable in coming back to the country ?

Am i ok to travel on current H1b Visa & I-94 (valid till 29th April) and return in mid feb ?

Or

Should i file for extension before i leave the country ? In that case what if my h1b is approved when i am not in country ?

 

[ginnu]

My H1b (1st 3 yrs) ends on 29th April' 2010. I intend to travel in Jan last week and return back to US in mid Feb' 2010.
------------------ You can come back and will get I-94 till 29th April 2010. then file for H1 extension. Extension petition must reach USCIS Before I-94 gets expired.

I have few questions:

How many days before your visa expires is one comfortable in coming back to the country ?

Am i ok to travel on current H1b Visa & I-94 (valid till 29th April) and return in mid feb ?
-----------------------------You can and let your lawyer keep the H1 extension papers ready and once you enter US in Feb then you get new I-94 and give the copy of that I-94(front and back) so that lawyer sends H1 extension Before the I-94 gets expired.
Or

Should i file for extension before i leave the country ? In that case what if my h1b is approved when i am not in country ?
-----------------If H1 gets approved while you are not in US then employer should send H1 EXT approval notice to you and at POE show the valid Visa stamp AND H1 extension approval at POE and you will get I-94 till H1 extension approval.

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