H4 to H1B Processing Time for COS, Premium and New H1B

Q&A on H4 to H1B Processing Time.

H4 to H1B Processing Time

Can anyone please let me know how long does it takes to convert my H4 to H1B, if a company is ready to sponsor a job?

H4 to H1B processing time depends on 2 factors

• Is this going to be new H1B that comes under quota?
• H1B processing time by USCIS

Based on your question, looks like this will be applying for new H1B visa 2014 application. With new H1B application, your employer could apply for H1B petition with USCIS in April.

If H1B Visa is approved, you can start working from/after H1B Approval Date. Typical approval date will be on or after October 1 for application filed between April to September.

If your employer applies for H4 to H1B conversion in April 1, 2013 and after H1B Visa petition approval, most likely start date will be from October 1, 2013.

So, you are looking at H4 to H1B processing time of 6 months before you can start working.

H4 to H1B Processing Time of 6 months includes H1B approval time and actual H1B Visa start date.

If employer applies for H1B Visa with Premium Processing, you can get H1B approved in less than 3 weeks. But, you would have to wait till actual H1B Visa start date ( typically October) to start working.

H4 to H1B Transfer Processing Time

If you already had an approved H1B and applying for H4 to H1B  COS transfer, then processing time is the time it takes for USCIS to pocess your H4 to H1B transfer.

If H4 to H1B is done via premium processing, you can get approval with few weeks than few months.

Hope, this answers your question.

Next – EAD for H4 Visa if rule is approved.