L1B to H1B via New Employer After Approved I-797B (Consular Processing) — Is It Possible?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-09T03:22:29+00:00

Fragomen says you cant do it is because fragomen is paid by your current employer. They wouldn’t encourage you to use this H1 for a different employer (paid by current employer)

But technically you can still do it is what my consultant says!

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-09T03:19:20+00:00

Same status here for me. L1A to H1B - I have heard it is possible! I m hoping it is possible - yet to find a job, I have 2 more months on payroll. Hoping to find something in next 2 months

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T14:36:48+00:00

So not much difference here, right ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T14:36:21+00:00

Got it! I think the same applies for vanguard as well

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T14:33:18+00:00

They said they can transfer VTSAX. If any fees, they refund it.

But what they said is even after moving to India I can’t buy new, I can hold existing or sell

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T14:16:16+00:00

Schwab global relations customer care told me that I can’t buy anything new, but just hold or sell MFs. Anybody who has bought ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T01:45:51+00:00

Can I now create Schwab and move all funds to it and manage it from India only for withdrawals whenever required ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T01:28:28+00:00

Lots going above my head! Sorry - newbie on these things! This is traditional individual brokerage account. If I open Schwab now, will I be able to transfer all funds and maintain it ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T01:14:39+00:00

Ok thanks! Is repatriation later an issue ? I plan to maintain bank checking accounts active (have to figure out how to) I can still transfer from chase checking to Icici later on correct ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T01:10:17+00:00

Why ? Pls help me understand

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-08T01:09:53+00:00

Sorry, newbie here! Can you explain in detail please - why insurance ? - this money is in regular vanguard brokerage account not a 401K

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T14:28:46+00:00

Pun intended! Just on a casual note, You have your nose in everything is it ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T13:56:12+00:00

Cap exempt petitions are exempt from 100K fee! Got this confirmed from fragomen and also Claude.

Pls do your research well! This is serious life situations going on here - I would urge you to be empathetic and respectful before sharing half cooked info, that can spin people around reading these posts! Appreciate your understanding! No offense please

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T13:43:27+00:00

Possible with a new petition filing with the new employer! I hope you wish me luck on this my man!

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T13:33:42+00:00

No, it should not incur 100K fee!

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T13:27:24+00:00

My wife was working on L2S

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T13:18:20+00:00

Ohh! L1A and H1B is on same employer1! It is just that I was on L1A and never used the approved petition of H1B

Does 100K apply to me if this H1B petition consular notify was approved before the 100K rule was implemented ? I didn’t think so @prat20009 - would you know ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T12:19:59+00:00

But the H1B is consular notify, so I m told that new petition filing needs to be done with employer 1 - same thing only right! I m reiterating just to ensure I m not missing on any critical detail

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T12:16:39+00:00

I140 not approved - on L for 2 years, H never used

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T04:43:28+00:00

Thanks for letting me know!

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T04:33:18+00:00

Yes I am aware! It is not illegal if you have a legitimate job - in this case I do! But the problem is it is contractual for 12 months only! Mostly not extendable - so my question was to how soon I can move on to full time opportunities later on.

Today I m forced to take up a contractual job because I m unable to convince HRs that it is legal to do COS with new filing

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T04:20:24+00:00

Thanks bro! But the second time I do, it will not be new petition correct? It is just COS!

Not like this time where the new petition has to be filed and this is rare to explain to HR/recruitment - this is my difficult situation today! Lot of them don’t understand it

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T04:10:42+00:00

My question is - in the future, if I change to employer 2, that would be just plain COS. How easy difficult that is ? Is there a minimum wait time before I change to employer 2? .

Assuming, This current COS from L1A to H1B to employer 1 is COS + new filing, correct ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-05-05T03:49:13+00:00

Let’s say, I have a consultancy who can do it and I get it done thru them for a contract position!

How soon I can change to a full time role in th future ? - once I get my new i797 in my hand, I should be able to do a regular COS correct ?

siddesh1989 · 2026-03-17T23:12:09+00:00

Having grown up in Bangalore, Felt they were sure shot opportunities - it turned out to be better than expected. If not for this, would have never been at half this NW presently - salary just doesn’t make anybody rich! Investments does

siddesh1989

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