Steps for H1 visa from J1

1.Register to Chinese Embassy;
2.ask for suport letter from the boss to the Chinese Embassy(why you want to waiver your J1 visa and he will apply H1 visa for you), send it to the Chinese Embassy, pay money and get a j1 waiver application form from Chinese Embassy;
3. Pay money, fill DS-3035 form and ask for a case number from Department of States, USA;
4. Fill the J1 waiver application form(need red stamp of your Institute in China), send it to Chinese Embassy with the copy of the receipt of your DS-3035 form, the case number is on it;
5. No objection letter will be sent to the US Department of States, you will also receive a notice letter that your J1 waiver has been approved by China goverment;
6. US Department of State will send a recommendation letter to INS, you will receive a copy too, then you can apply H1 visa through your University. Normally you will receive the J1 visa waiver approval letter from INS in one month,totally it will take at least 6 months for you to waiver your J1 visa, you can not change to H1 visa from J1 automatically.