What is the maximum time I can stay in the United States on an H-1B visa?

USCIS generally admits H-1B workers for an initial period of up to three years, and that period can be extended for up to another three years. This brings the standard maximum to six years of H-1B time.

There are important exceptions. If you have a pending or approved employment-based green card process, the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act (AC21) lets you extend H-1B status in one-year or three-year increments beyond the six-year cap while you wait for permanent residence.

Time spent outside the United States can also be recaptured, and time spent in other statuses such as H-4 does not count against your six years.