240-Day Rule Calculator
Find out whether you are protected under the 240-day rule and the last day you are authorized to work while your H-1B extension is pending.
Enter your I-94 expiry and petition receipt date (or check "not yet filed") to see your result.
Important: This is informational only. Consult an immigration attorney about your specific situation before relying on the 240-day rule.
What is the 240-day rule?
The 240-day rule (found in the federal regulations at 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(20)) lets an H-1B worker keep working for the same employer for up to 240 days past their I-94 expiration — but only if the extension petition was timely filed, meaning received by USCIS before the I-94 expired.
The rule exists because USCIS processing times are unpredictable, and it would be unfair to force a lawfully employed worker to stop working simply because the government has not yet adjudicated a properly filed extension. The 240-day period ends at the earlier of 240 days past your I-94 expiry or the date USCIS decides your case.
Two important limits: the rule covers work authorization inside the U.S. only — it does not authorize international travel and reentry — and if the petition is denied during the window, your work authorization ends immediately with no wind-down period.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 240-day rule?
If your employer files your H-1B extension before your current I-94 expires, you may keep working for that same employer for up to 240 days past your I-94 expiration while USCIS decides the petition. If the petition is denied during that window, your work authorization ends immediately.
Can I travel internationally while on the 240-day rule?
No. The 240-day rule only covers continued work inside the U.S. while your extension is pending. It does not authorize reentry — leaving the country with an expired I-94 generally means you cannot return until the extension is approved and you have a valid visa.
What if my petition is filed after my I-94 expires?
Then the 240-day rule does not apply at all. There is no partial protection. The petition must be received by USCIS on or before your I-94 expiration date to qualify — which is why filing early is critical.
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