Hi,
I'm currently on OPT (F1-Visa) and it expires in April-2015. My employer will apply my H1b in 2014 (April). Assuming USCIS processes my h1b and approves it by June-2014, I have following questions:
1. If I'm in USA when my H1b is approved, will my status change from OPT to H1b in June-2014 (Immediately after the approval) OR from 01-OCt-2014 (Usually the start date of H1b is 01-OCt of the year of application)
2. If I travel out of USA after my H1b is approved, can I come back to USA on my OPT before 01-Oct-2014 or do I have to wait until I get my H1b stamped and come after that only (which would be after 01-oct-2014)?
3. Is it mandatory to travel to my home country and get my H1b stamped before my H1b expires or I can stay in USA without it? The reason for this question: My EAD card (OPT-F1 visa) expires on April-2015 and I won't have a visa stamp on my passport if I have not travelled out of USA.
Regards,
Rumit