L1B extension - how does this work?

[pdw13]

Hi,

I've done some reading on this forum and elsewhere, and now I am thoroughly confused. Here is my situation:

1. I am on an L1B visa that expires in Aug 2013. I received this visa in Aug 2010 and entered the US in Sept 2010.
2. My I 94 says "Class L1 until Jan 2016"

Upon doing some reading, I have ascertained that the I-94 dictates the time till which I am legally allowed to stay here. However, I know that the L1B has a max period of 3 years extendable to 5 years in all.

Now my questions are-

1. If I don't travel outside the US, am I legally allowed to stay till Jan 2016 which is more than the 5 year limit on the L1B?
2. If I do travel outside the US after my visa expires, I am required to get a new visa. Will this visa be issued for 2 years or for the remainder of the time ( 5 years minus the time I was here already)?
3. In what case do I need to get my L1 stay extended?

Any help/opinions is appreciated.

Cheers.

[kabkaba]

Hi,

I've done some reading on this forum and elsewhere, and now I am thoroughly confused. Here is my situation:

1. I am on an L1B visa that expires in Aug 2013. I received this visa in Aug 2010 and entered the US in Sept 2010.
2. My I 94 says "Class L1 until Jan 2016"

Upon doing some reading, I have ascertained that the I-94 dictates the time till which I am legally allowed to stay here. However, I know that the L1B has a max period of 3 years extendable to 5 years in all.

Now my questions are-

1. If I don't travel outside the US, am I legally allowed to stay till Jan 2016 which is more than the 5 year limit on the L1B? --No, you should calculate the total duration of stay in the US in L1 status and depart before that exceeds 5 years.
2. If I do travel outside the US after my visa expires, I am required to get a new visa. Will this visa be issued for 2 years or for the remainder of the time ( 5 years minus the time I was here already)? -- That depends, but irrespective of that your total duration of stay should not exceed 5 years.
3. In what case do I need to get my L1 stay extended? -- You will receive a new I-94 every time you travel and return.

Any help/opinions is appreciated.

Cheers.

See above.

[pdw13]

See above.

Thanks kabkaba.

So, if I understand you correctly, then I should ideally file for an L1B extension when my stay in the US is coming close to 3 years? And this is irrespective of the fact that my I-94 is still valid?

Or can I skip the L1 extension because my I-94 is valid till 2016 - but make sure I don't exceed my stay here for more than 5 years?

Thanks again.

Cheers.

[kabkaba]

Thanks kabkaba.

So, if I understand you correctly, then I should ideally file for an L1B extension when my stay in the US is coming close to 3 years? And this is irrespective of the fact that my I-94 is still valid?

Or can I skip the L1 extension because my I-94 is valid till 2016 - but make sure I don't exceed my stay here for more than 5 years?

Thanks again.

Cheers.

skip the L1 extension because my I-94 is valid till 2016 - but make sure I don't exceed my stay here for more than 5 years?