H1b 转 B2 DIY 全攻略和timeline （后更新B2转回H1B/ H1B Transfer timeline）

今年三月的晴空霹雳，让我毫无防备地成为被裁员大军中的一员，今年的就业市场对低yoe的data人更是地狱级别难度，所以被雷当周我就给自己规划了plan B --- 转B2维持合法逗留/找工身份， 以下是本人申请的timeline 和材料准备，顺便求点大米～

Timeline

• 04/14/2023 是我在payroll上的last day，根据计算我必须要在06/13/2023之前提交申请
• 5月底手头上仅有的面试都挂得差不多了～ 开始着手准备转B2的材料
• 06/02/2023 邮寄出申请材料（网上申请没有H1B转B2的选项，只有H1B1 转B2，为了稳妥选择了paper file）
• 06/05/2023 USCIS 收到材料
• 06/28/2023 去打指模/biometric screening
• 7月中收到approval notice，上面写的approved date 为07/04/2023， Valid from 07/04/2023 to 12/12/2023 （填申请时填的是 6/13/2023-12/12/2023，最终也确实给到12/12/2023）

Material List

• Form I-539 （Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status）
• Form G1450 （only if 你用信用卡交钱，如果直接用check or money order 不需要）
• Passport: Bio page
• Passport: VISA pages
• Previous Job I797
• W2 of 2022
• Latest paystubs
• Latest Bank statement （本人在中西部农村，所以给了两万多不到三万的数字，大概是我半年的开销数）
• i. I94
• Form G-1145 （Use this form to request a text message and/or email when USCIS accepts your form.）
• Statement： 我给出的理由是需要extra time来interview 和完成visa transfer，并把上诉材料的目录贴在结尾

其他参考资料
填写B2 攻略：gonglue.us  — 记得part 5 签名
B2 filling address: uscis.gov -- 每个州寄去的地址不太一样

--------- 这里是分割线 ---------------
经历了大半年“绝地求生”， 终于有公司向我递出了橄榄枝！两周前提交了questionnaire和材料，目前还没有别的动静，等有新的进展会在这里更新。

补充内容 (2023-11-30 14:45 +08:00):

关于H1B转其他签证的官方说法，请参考这篇文章：uscis.gov

这是其中部分关于转B2问题的截图

文中含有App暂不支持的附件，请到论坛下载

补充内容 (2023-12-01 02:43 +08:00):

图好像没出来， 我在这里直接copy过来吧 ～

Q: Will my pending I-539 change of status application to B-1 or B-2 be prioritized if I find a new employer who files an I-129 petition with a request for premium processing service?
A: If an employer files a Form I-129 petition on your behalf, along with a request for premium processing service, USCIS will generally process the pending I-539 and the I-129 together during the premium processing timeframe and issue concurrent decisions. This means there should be no delay in adjudication of the I-129 because of the pending I-539. No formal request is required for the pending I-539 to be prioritized. If USCIS approves the I-129 petition, including any requested change of status, then you generally will obtain the nonimmigrant status requested on the I-129 petition (not the I-539), and may begin working. You generally would not need to depart the United States to obtain the requested nonimmigrant status in this scenario.
Q: Can I file a change of status to B-1 or B-2 if I have a pending or approved I-140?
A: Yes, having a pending or approved I-140 should have no impact on your change of status request, so long as you maintain an intent to depart after any approved temporary period of stay and continue to maintain a residence abroad that you do not intend to abandon.
Q: Can I look for a new job while in B-1 or B-2 status?
A: Yes, searching for employment and interviewing for a position are permissible B-1 or B-2 activities. By statute, however, you may not engage in employment within the domestic labor market (also known as “local labor for hire”) while in B-1 status or engage in any employment while in B-2 status. Before beginning any new employment, a petition and request for a change of status from B-1 or B-2 to an employment-authorized status must be approved, and the new status must take effect. Alternatively, if the change of status request is denied or the petition for new employment requested consular or port of entry notification, the individual must depart the United States and be admitted in an employment-authorized classification before beginning the new employment.

补充内容 (2023-12-26 07:01 +08:00):

更新 B2 转 H1B timeline， 请看instant.1point3acres.cn

补充内容 (2024-04-17 13:17 +08:00):

USCIS对 I-539申请的官方指南，请看这里 uscis.gov 。里面像filing guidance 和filing fees 这些section，官方还是给了不少信息的，欢迎大家仔细研读。

关于到底是选paper file还是online file，我最近也有听到一些小伙伴选H1B1也成功online file了，所以估计也可行？当然如果想要更加稳妥，paper file肯定是没有问题的。

Anyway, 本攻略纯属个人经验分享，不构成任何法律意见，一切请以USCIS说法为准（毕竟他们也经常在更新各种条款）。