COS - Consular Processing

[suresh1980]

Hi ,

I am in L1A , i got the RFE for my 1st extension and last date for applying RFE is May 5th.I got the sponsor for my H1B, so i asked them to apply for H1B Consular Processing and they communicated back to me saying with below email


We used the same questionnaires for COS Consular Approval. Please fill out.

Question is:

So my L1A will automatically changed to H1B , if mine got picked in lottery.Please guide me difference between H1B Consular Processing and COS Consular Approval.Please suggest?

Thanks,

[suresh1980]

Anyone in the group, help me on this question?

[Libra_14]

So my L1A will automatically changed to H1B , if mine got picked in lottery.Please guide me difference between H1B Consular Processing and COS Consular Approval.Please suggest?

Application picked up in lottery does not change your status to H1.

It is once you get the I797 for your H1 application & then you file 539 to switch from L1 to H1 or you move out of USA, get H1 stamped & then re-enter on H1.

Till that time you'll be on L1 only.

H1B Consular processing means you need to leave USA, get visa stamped outside USA & then re-enter.
COS means, you file for change of status from H1 to L1 with USCIS, while with-in USA itself.