Your permission to stay in the United States ends on the expiration date of your I-797 approval notice or your current I-94 Departure Record card. Extensions up to a six year maximum period in H1B status are possible provided your department is willing to sponsor you for an extension.

Extension Procedure

• Discuss extension with your supervisor at least seven months before your current H1B status expires.
• Upon decision to extend, the department will commence with the steps outlined above in "Obtaining the H1B for Employment at Emory".
• You may travel while the extension petition is pending until the expiration date of your current H1B status; if this date has passed and you still have not received a new I-797 approval notice, you should NOT travel outside the U.S. You will need the approval notice for the extension to re-enter the U.S.
• While you have a pending H1B extension, you may continue working for 240 days beyond the expiration date of your current H1B status.

Caution

Extension of your status is your responsibility. If you forget the deadline and apply late, you risk denial. If you are employed and overlook the date, you will be working illegally. Since such mistakes can have serious consequences, you should make certain that you apply well in advance if you need to extend your stay.