How long does it take to process an H-1 extension application?
ISSS needs 1-2 months to prepare the extension paperwork before submitting it to USCIS. It can take 2-7 months for the USCIS to process an H-1 extension. If premium processing is elected, then the USCIS processing time is reduced to about 3 weeks. Please see the current processing times at: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?ServiceCenter=California Note that as long as the immigration service receives the extension petition prior to the original expiration date, there is a 240-day grace period of employment authorization. This grace period, however, does not enable travel outside the U.S. after the original expiration date.
