Hello,

I came to US on H1-B and filed for permanent residency. Now my I-140 is approved and I-485 is pending decision. I would like to become a private contractor and either offer my services as such to my current employer (not being an employee, but a 1099-contractor), or find totally new clients.

I did not file for work authorization and still am on H1-B status.

1) Can I quit my current job as an employee and come back as a private contractor and still be on same H1-B?
2) If I quit my current job as an employee and work for totally new clients, do I need work authorization filed for this while the I-485 is pending?

Thank you