[grecy]

> Requiring H1B holders to leave the country to renew paperwork is an insane anachronism

FWIW every country requires you leave and come back to change or renew visa status. The computers and processes are all setup at points of entry and just aren’t designed for people that don’t physically leave/enter.

It’s so common the guys at the us/Canada land border call it “flagpoleing” because you literally drive a u turn around the flagpole and go back. I’ve done it a dozen times, even driving 4 hours each way in a gnarley winter storm into Alaska and back to Canada at -45.

[workfromspace]

> every country requires you leave and come back to change or renew visa status

Not true for EU, either.

In fact, how it works in EU is (for non-EU citizens):

- Get a D visa (for residency)

- Get into the country

- Get a temporary residence permit which is for up to 5 years

- Renew residence permit when it's about to expire or basis (employment, study) is changed - WHILE being in the country.

[maowtm]

Not the UK at least, as someone who has done a completely in-country switch from student to skilled worker. In fact you are not allowed to leave the country when your application is in progress (leaving would cancel it).