In my case, my current H1B will be expired on August 1st. I just received a offer from a local industry, and will start to work on Oct 1st for the new company. So in this case,
1. If I choose to change my status (COS) to H4 (my spouse has H1b visa), can I still stay in US while the case is pending or I have to leave US and re-enter before Oct 1st and start working as H1?
2. In my case, can I legally stay in US once I submit the COS application, or the application has to be approved?
3. After the H4-H1 change of status got approved, do I have to lease US and re-enter US?
4. In this case, should I apply for H1 to H4 first, or alternatively, ask the company to apply H1 for me first? Which way is better?
Thank you so much!