how many months b4 can i apply for H1B extention?

[sharanya1983]

my h1b expires in sept 2012 and im going to india by dec 2011.can i apply for extention(from company and if it gets approved) now n get it stamped in india b4 i leave?.i have a baby and cannot travel many times to india.so is it possible for me to do it?else i know that i ve to extend my visa here in US and then go again to india in 2013 to get it.but is there a better option?.pl help.thanks in advance.

[shervin143]

Extension can be filed only 6 months prior to your I-94 expiry date. Visa is just an entry documents to U.S. A valid I-94 associated with your H1B will allow you to stay and work in U.S. Yu can get the visa stamped when you leave the country and want to re-enter later.