My original H1 expired 1/14/2003.
I already had a EAD and AP expiring 8/07/2003.
I applied for H1 extension for an year in Dec, 2002. (still awaiting I-485 approval with 5/15/02 ND, no FP yet)
Received my I-797 (H1 extension) last week which will be valid till 1/14/2004. (it took 6 months for H1-extension)
I also applied for a EAD and AP for the 2nd year. RD: 4/15/03.
Received my EAD last week (in 2 months) but now I hear that the AP might not even come before September. Bummer, because I have already planned a vacation in the mountains in Western Canada for 2 weeks towards the end of September.
So, I am planning to go to Canada next month (my lawyer said Canada is still issuing H1B visas but not Mexico) with my extended H1 and get an H1 visa in the passport till 1/14/04. In case they refuse (they should'nt, right ?), I can still use my current AP/EAD to come back and then wait for my next AP to arrive.
Anybody thinks this is not a good idea?
PS: My lawyer will apply for another H1 extension torwards end of August. She wants me to stay the H1 route and use AP/EAD as backup.
I already had a EAD and AP expiring 8/07/2003.
I applied for H1 extension for an year in Dec, 2002. (still awaiting I-485 approval with 5/15/02 ND, no FP yet)
Received my I-797 (H1 extension) last week which will be valid till 1/14/2004. (it took 6 months for H1-extension)
I also applied for a EAD and AP for the 2nd year. RD: 4/15/03.
Received my EAD last week (in 2 months) but now I hear that the AP might not even come before September. Bummer, because I have already planned a vacation in the mountains in Western Canada for 2 weeks towards the end of September.
So, I am planning to go to Canada next month (my lawyer said Canada is still issuing H1B visas but not Mexico) with my extended H1 and get an H1 visa in the passport till 1/14/04. In case they refuse (they should'nt, right ?), I can still use my current AP/EAD to come back and then wait for my next AP to arrive.
Anybody thinks this is not a good idea?
PS: My lawyer will apply for another H1 extension torwards end of August. She wants me to stay the H1 route and use AP/EAD as backup.