The International Center recommends beginning the process of filing an extension of an employee’s H-1B status approximately nine months before the expiration of the current H-1B status. After an extension of H-1B status request has been filed with USCIS and is pending adjudication, departments may extend the individual’s employment authorization on payroll for 240 days beyond the expiration date of the individual’s current H-1B status. This provision is known as the “240-Day Rule”. Premium processing for these cases is optional and not required for employment purposes.
For more information, please see https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/75-h-1b-specialty-occupations .
To start H-1B extension, please see H-1B – Before You Sponsor.