Regarding Number of years allowed to stay in US on H-1

[bmaheshreddy]

Hi,
I am on L2 dependent VISA and was working on EAD for the past 4 years.
This year in 2015, I applied for H-1 Visa and got it approved. The validity of the H-1 VISA is given from Oct 1st 2015 to Sep 30 2018 for 3 years.
I was told that on any work Visa, the validity of working in US is only for 6 years unless otherwise I have a Green card or approved I-140 to extend the H-1 after 6 years.

Whether the 4 years which I worked on L2 EAD will also be considered part of the total 6 years H-1 eligibility and legally I can work only for the next two years on H-1 even though my approved H-1 has validity till 2018 ? or the 4 years period on L2 EAD is not considered part of the 6 years validity on H-1 ?

Please let me know. Thanks for your help.

Mahesh.

[raghvi]

Hi,
I am on L2 dependent VISA and was working on EAD for the past 4 years.
This year in 2015, I applied for H-1 Visa and got it approved. The validity of the H-1 VISA is given from Oct 1st 2015 to Sep 30 2018 for 3 years.
I was told that on any work Visa, the validity of working in US is only for 6 years unless otherwise I have a Green card or approved I-140 to extend the H-1 after 6 years.

Whether the 4 years which I worked on L2 EAD will also be considered part of the total 6 years H-1 eligibility and legally I can work only for the next two years on H-1 even though my approved H-1 has validity till 2018 ? or the 4 years period on L2 EAD is not considered part of the 6 years validity on H-1 ?

Please let me know. Thanks for your help.

Mahesh.

Only time spent on L1 and H1 are clubbed, your L2 time would not be considered while determining the 6 Year limitation.

This is my opinion not legal advice.