Question

Hi,

I am currently a master student and will graduate at the end of this August. The graduation date on my I20 is 08/26/2016. Also, my company sponsors the H1b petition for me this year and it is approved, I have already got the approval letter and form for H1B.

Please help me with the questions below.

Could I travel out of US using my F1 status before H1B is validated this October 1st? I heard before H1b is approved, if I travel out of US, I cannot transfer automatically to H1B in US and have to come back to China for immigrant status transfer. However, after it is approved, it is fine, is that true?Thanks.

And can I travel out of US after my graduation day 08/26/2016 and before October 1st, for example this September?

By the way, I have already updated my I20, there is "change of status/capgap extension" part on my I20.

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

首先恭喜您H1B获得批准。您如果在10月1日之前离开美国，需要在使领馆申请H1B签证面谈。获得签证后，持H1B签证入境美国。首次申请H1B签证您应该回到原籍国申请。