What is ‘I-94 bridging’?

‘I-94 bridging’ is the popular name for the mechanism that allows an H-1B holder to remain lawfully in the United States while awaiting a decision on a new petition, provided that petition was filed before the current status expired. The I-94 is the admission record that marks the authorized period of stay, and the idea of the ‘bridge’ is precisely to cover the gap between the end of the previous period and the response to the new petition.

In practice, it works like this: if an extension, transfer, or change-of-status petition was filed in a timely manner, the beneficiary can generally remain in the country based on that pending petition, without falling out of status during the review period.

• Requires that the petition was filed while the current status was still valid.
• Covers the period between the previous expiration and the decision on the new petition.
• Prevents unlawful presence while the case is under review.

Each situation has its own nuances, and continuity of status does not always apply automatically: some cases require specific review by the relevant authorities. For this reason, the safest approach is to confirm current requirements and timelines with USCIS and, if there is any doubt about your status, seek expert guidance before your deadline passes.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.