Hello everyone,
Need some help in H1B extension clarification.
I got H1B petition approved in 2016 and got visa stamped on 28th Dec, 2016 till September,2019. But I haven’t travelled to USA due to some personal constraints and also didn’t went for extension till now.
Can you guys please advise whether I can use this petition and go for H1B extension now or do I need to file a new petition and go through lottery process ?
Technically extension of status application can only be filed if you are already working in the US. In your case, your current or new employer an file a cap-exempt (no lottery) petition and once approved you can go for visa stamping. You may be eligible for dropbox as you already had a US visa in past.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-waivers-of-the-interview-requirement-for-certain-nonimmigrant-visas.html