Chose between change of status and consular processing

[bi3423]

I am currently on L1 visa in the US and am selected in the H1 lottery. I am trying to decide if petition should be filed as consular processing or change of status.

• How much time does a change of status petition approval takes ?
• If I have to travel to India before my change of status petition is approved, can the petition be converted to consular processing somehow ?
• Let's say I decide to use change of status. After my petition is approved, I leave US for vacation in India. Before coming back, I will have to get H1B visa from consulate in India. Is the visa interview any different/harder/easier than consular processing ?

[appuchan]

As far as I know, they are not processing new visa applications now. It is recommended to wait and remain valid on your current visa until there is a change in decision.