change of status

[ussinghhi]

Hi all,
I have a query
I am working on L1 visa through a company A and its I-94 and visa stamp are valied till Nov 2009 but I got H1B approved lat year when I was in India without COS and the petetion is valid till 2011
I came to US again with the same L1 and nowwant to change to my H1B employer being in US only and position is urgent
so my queries are
1. Do I/my employer need to file COS (I-539)?
2. I am authoirizied to work from the day I have applide for the COS or only after I have got the COS approved?
3. How much time generally it takes for the COS filling and approval?
4. Is there any other fast way to change status ?
Please update that will help me to make decisions.
Thanks in advance

[txh1b]

1. No. It is I-129 to amend status for a H1b.
2. You need approval to begin work on H1b.
3. Employer can Premium process it for $1000 extra and get it in 15 days.
4. #3

[ussinghhi]

change of status

I think you understood it differently
Here I am working on L1 visa and have H1B approved petetion and whats to change status from L1 to H1B
As per you reply I need to file again for COS and if in premium it would be $1000 extra.
why the fees again if I have paid it at the time H1B application was applied.
Please let me know the whole process of changing from L1 to H1B while being in US.
Thanks

[txh1b]

I got it right. You are the one not getting it and should do some reading. Start with the FAQs.

[ussinghhi]

Change of Status

Thanks for your quick reply
the company that wants to change my status from L1 to H1B and also hold my approved I-797
says that
they need apply for Amended H-1B approval for change of status, this would take 1 months time.
Is this correct ?,
If yes ,Is this can be done in premium also?
and the most important thing
can I start working as soon as I get the receipt number as in case of H1B transfers or have to wait till the final Approval has come.
Thanks

[txh1b]

That is exactly what I told you in the very first post. I129 to amend status. But it does not happen in 1 month. It could take 2-6 months. Once approved, you are no longer on L1 and MUST work for H1b sponsor.

And yes, it can be PPd and No, you have to wait for approval before you can begin work as it is a COS. You are reconfirming everything that was already said.