My boss is sponsoring me for an H1B which will replace my J1 (due to expire in April). He still hasn't completed his side of the paperwork and I'm beginning to feel a bit twitchy. Does anyone know how long the application process takes? Am I going to be deported before the INS have even seen my paperwork? sad
Can I ask if you're pursuing your Green card?
If you get your H1 and end up staying here you're only good for 5 yrs (sounds like a long time, but it flies by if you decide to stay).
I'd get him to follow through and apply for your greenie while you still have time. At least then it gives you the option of moving around as opposed to be deported if you get laid off (which almost happened to me last October).
Good luck.
PS my H1 took 2 wks from filling in the forms and getting my H1 in my hand. You know that you can't leave the US and come back unles you get the H1 put in your passport by an American Consular service (embassy) right?
There are things that can be done to do this while you're still here in the US so you're not caught out by submitting your passport in London when you go home for a break and don't have a passsport for when you want to leave and come back to the US. Get in touch if you want more info.
I'm no lawyer but I've had to do this myself so have the info.