L1B extension process

[vignesh83]

Hello
My L1B Visa and petition expires by Jul 2014 and I have my I94 valid until April 2015. I intend to stay in US until my I94 expiry date.
I have not applied for L1B extension as of now as I dont see the need. In future, i.e post Jul 2014, is it possible to apply extension, as my visa and petition would have been expired by then.

[raghvi]

Hello
My L1B Visa and petition expires by Jul 2014 and I have my I94 valid until April 2015. I intend to stay in US until my I94 expiry date.
I have not applied for L1B extension as of now as I dont see the need. In future, i.e post Jul 2014, is it possible to apply extension, as my visa and petition would have been expired by then.

Visa and I-94 are two different things. The valid I-94 allows you to stay and work till April 2015 but it doesnt allow you to freely enter US after your visa expiry. So after Jul 2014 if you leave US, and in order to enter US you would need to get a new visa stamping done.

Also, is your a L1 Individual? as I believe L1 Blanket have indefinite expiry.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[vignesh83]

Hi raghvi,
I'm clear about 194 and Visa expiry dates. My question is not that.
When both these expiry dates are different, when should I apply for extension.
1) Before the visa expires or
2) Before hte I94 expires

[raghvi]

Extension for what? Technically there is nothing called extension of visa. While in US you can only request extension of stay. You can request for extension of stay max 6 months before I94 expiry as long as you have time remaining on that status, example one cannot request for extension beyond 5 years for L1b.


This is my opinion not legal advice.

[vignesh83]

Thank You.
This is what I wanted to know.

Then, it means I should not process extension now. It can only be processed 6 months before the I94 expiry date.

[raghvi]

Thank You.
This is what I wanted to know.

Then, it means I should not process extension now. It can only be processed 6 months before the I94 expiry date.

Yes. But off late the chances of L1B extension approval are very low hence generally companies apply extension request only towards the I-94 expiry in order to take advantage of the 240 Days grace period.

This is my opinion not legal advice.