The H-1B has a limited duration of a six year cumulative total time. For those who might want or need to stay longer than this it is important to communicate with your OISS adviser at least a year in advance. Please review the following points and speak to your OISS adviser.
Reclaiming H-1B Time
If during your H-1B stay in the U.S. you have taken vacation or business trips outside of the U.S., you may be able to “reclaim” this time in the form of an H-1B extension application through OISS.
Restarting the H-1B Time Period
If you have H-1B status but then leave, and live outside the U.S. for 12 months or more, you can apply to return to the U.S. in a new H-1B status that includes a new six year maximum.
Extending H1-B Beyond Six Years
There is a legal provision that allows some people to extend their H-1B beyond six years, as long as they have submitted a non-frivolous application for Legal Permanent resident status (LPR/ green card) at least one year prior to the end of the H-1B. Please speak to your immigration attorney and your OISS adviser about this option.
Changing to Other Visas
Normally the only visa option is the O-1. Many people do not qualify for the O-1 since it requires a very high standard of achievement.
Legal Permanent Residency (LPR)
If it is your desire to apply for LPR status you need to plan several years in advance. Some scholars/employees will qualify for Yale's LPR sponsorship. In your 4th year of H-1B status you should ask Uma Shankar in OISS to evaluate whether or not you qualify. If you don't qualify for Yale sponsorship, you should ask an immigration attorney about a Self Sponsored application.
