Updates In Visa Bulletin May Affect H-1B Extensions Beyond Six-Year Maximum

The U.S. Department of State's June 2022 Visa Bulletin reflects a significant advancement in the EB-2 India category. This has provided an opportunity for many applicants for permanent residence to move forward with the filing, adjudication, and approval of their I-485, Application[s] to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, the final step in the green card process. While a positive development for many, this forward movement has also created a challenge for certain H-1B extensions. Employers are more frequently seeing situations in which employees who have previously been able to extend their H-1B status in three-year increments can no longer do so, or may only be eligible to extend their status for one year.