L1A Blanket Extension Query - Please advice

[KNSerach]

Hi,

I am on L1A Blanket visa. Following are my details -

Visa Expiry Date - 04 Aug 2019
Blanket Petition Expiry Date - 29 May 2019
Passport Expiry Date - 06 Sep 2021
I-94 Expiry Date - 06 Sep 2021

Please suggest when should I file for my visa extension? Should it be based on my Visa Expiry or Petition Expiry or I94 date?

I want to file for extension before my Visa Expiry date so that I can travel outside USA if need arises. Is that possible? My company's attorney has suggested that I cannot apply for extension before Jan 2021. Please advice.

Also, since my current visa is on blanket petition, will the extension be filed as blanket or as an Individual?

Thanks.

[Libra_14]

Please suggest when should I file for my visa extension? Should it be based on my Visa Expiry or Petition Expiry or I94 date?

You need to file for your petition renewal before 29 May 2019. Once your petition is renewed & you need to travel outside - get your visa stamped.

I want to file for extension before my Visa Expiry date so that I can travel outside USA if need arises. Is that possible? My company's attorney has suggested that I cannot apply for extension before Jan 2021. Please advice.

You can stay in USA with an expired visa. Visa you won't need to renew when you go outside USA & need to re-enter.

Also, since my current visa is on blanket petition, will the extension be filed as blanket or as an Individual?

Individual.

[KNSerach]

You need to file for your petition renewal before 29 May 2019. Once your petition is renewed & you need to travel outside - get your visa stamped.

You can stay in USA with an expired visa. Visa you won't need to renew when you go outside USA & need to re-enter.

Individual.

Many Thanks for your response.

My problem is that I might have to travel outside USA in Dec 2019. Since my L1A blanket visa is expiring in Aug 2019, Is there a way I can ensure that I can come back to USA without any issues in Dec 2019?

My employer is saying that they will apply for extension in only 2021 as my I94 is valid till Sep 2021.

[Libra_14]

Many Thanks for your response.

My problem is that I might have to travel outside USA in Dec 2019. Since my L1A blanket visa is expiring in Aug 2019, Is there a way I can ensure that I can come back to USA without any issues in Dec 2019?

My employer is saying that they will apply for extension in only 2021 as my I94 is valid till Sep 2021.

I94 gives you just legal stay in USA, but at the same time it doesnot give you rights to work.

Its the petition which allows you to work in USA. So you'll need to have a valid petition to work.

[KNSerach]

I94 gives you just legal stay in USA, but at the same time it doesnot give you rights to work.

Its the petition which allows you to work in USA. So you'll need to have a valid petition to work.

Thanks for the response. My company is asking me to continue working in USA even after my blanket petition is expiring till my I94 is valid. But in such scenario I might not be able to travel to India, if need arises. I dont want to have this restriction as I might need to travel to India for few weeks in the end of this year.

Per your suggestion I have asked my company to file for petition renewal. Can you please let me know if the petition renewal can be done while I am staying here in USA or do I need to go back to India. My current petition is Blanket.

Also, my friend has suggested that ideally I94 should not be given more than PED & he has advised me to go to CBP office and ask them if my I94 is correct or needs revision. He suggested that there are chances that CBP officials might reduce my I94 & I can then file for extension. As my company is not willing to file extension before 6 months of I94 expiry.

Please suggest which route should I take.

[Libra_14]

Per your suggestion I have asked my company to file for petition renewal. Can you please let me know if the petition renewal can be done while I am staying here in USA or do I need to go back to India. My current petition is Blanket.

You can stay in USA while waiting for application response for upto 240 days after expiry.

Also, my friend has suggested that ideally I94 should not be given more than PED & he has advised me to go to CBP office and ask them if my I94 is correct or needs revision. He suggested that there are chances that CBP officials might reduce my I94 & I can then file for extension. As my company is not willing to file extension before 6 months of I94 expiry.

Ideally, yes, I94 remains same as PED (but CBP officer can also do mistakes).

No need to go to CBP officer - you can check your I94 online & what is mentioned there will hold correct.

Stay in USA until that date - if needed for you to travel, your company will have no choice but to file for extension on premium basis & get it renewed for you before you finish your stay in India.

[KNSerach]

You can stay in USA while waiting for application response for upto 240 days after expiry.

Ideally, yes, I94 remains same as PED (but CBP officer can also do mistakes).

No need to go to CBP officer - you can check your I94 online & what is mentioned there will hold correct.

Stay in USA until that date - if needed for you to travel, your company will have no choice but to file for extension on premium basis & get it renewed for you before you finish your stay in India.

Thanks a lot for all your responses. They were helpful!