The Complete H-1B Renewal Timeline: When to Start and What to Do

When Should You Start Your H-1B Renewal?

The H-1B renewal process should begin at least 6 months (180 days) before your I-797 approval notice expires. This gives your employer time to prepare, and you enough runway to handle USCIS delays.

The moment you pass the 180-day mark before your I-797 expiry, DueVisa will send you your first reminder.

The H-1B Extension Timeline

180 Days Out: Alert Your Employer Your employer is the petitioner for your H-1B extension. They need to: - Contact their immigration attorney - Gather your updated job description, LCA (Labor Condition Application), and salary information - Decide on standard vs. premium processing

Don't wait. Many HR teams and attorneys have backlogs. Starting now protects you.

120 Days Out: LCA Approval Your employer's attorney should file a new Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor. This typically takes 7 business days but can be faster.

90 Days Out: I-129 Filing The I-797 extension is filed via Form I-129. At this point, your employer should be ready to submit the petition. USCIS allows filing up to 6 months before expiry.

Premium processing (Form I-907) costs $2,805 and guarantees a 15 business day response. If you're cutting it close, premium processing is worth every dollar.

The I-94 vs. I-797 — Which One Actually Matters? Most H-1B workers confuse their I-797 approval notice with their authorized period of stay. Here's the truth:

• ·**I-797**: Approves your H-1B petition (employer-sponsored)
• ·**I-94**: Your actual authorized stay (check yours at i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

Your I-94 is often tied to your I-797 date, but not always. Always check both.

Cap-Gap Protection If your H-1B petition is filed before your current status expires, you may qualify for **cap-gap protection** — this allows you to continue working while your extension is pending. This is especially important for F-1 to H-1B transitions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. 1.**Waiting until 60 days out**: By then, standard processing won't save you
2. 2.**Assuming your employer will handle it**: Confirm they've actually started
3. 3.**Confusing your visa stamp expiry with your I-94**: The stamp is irrelevant for domestic work authorization
4. 4.**Traveling before your extension is approved**: Your stamp must be valid to re-enter

What DueVisa Tracks for H-1B Workers

DueVisa automatically tracks: - H-1B Visa Stamp (renewal lead: 90 days) - I-94 Authorized Stay (renewal lead: 180 days) — most critical - I-797 Petition Approval (renewal lead: 180 days) - Passport (renewal lead: 270 days) - EAD if applicable (renewal lead: 180 days) - Driver's License (renewal lead: 60 days)

Start tracking yours at DueVisa — it's free.