What is the maximum duration that one can stay in U.S for work through H1 or L1 Visa?

[Tinku_Tom]

Hi,

Currently, I am working in India with the U.S MNC company. Already I hold L1B Visa which is valid from Apr-2016 to Apr-2019. During this period, I have been to U.S for only one year i.e., from Apr-2016 to Apr-2017 and came back to India. Now, my company is applying for L1B extension again as I need to travel to U.S this year. So, my query here is to know what is the maximum period that one can stay in U.S through these kind of L1A, L1B & H1 visas? If I get my current L1B visa renewal for the next 2 years now, is it possible for me to apply for the L1B Visa again with the same or differnt employer in near future post that expiry of this extension? Because, I have plans to visit U.S down the line after 5 years for work. If that is the case, I don't want to reach or consume the maximum period of stay with my current employer itself. Can some one apply for the L1B or L1A or H1 again and again for several times in his life once the current Visa is expired and fully consumed(stayed in U.S for full tenure of seven years in L1A or full tenure of 5 years in L1B or full tenure of 6 years in H1)?

Please help me to clarify this. Thank you.

[Libra_14]

Hi,

Currently, I am working in India with the U.S MNC company. Already I hold L1B Visa which is valid from Apr-2016 to Apr-2019. During this period, I have been to U.S for only one year i.e., from Apr-2016 to Apr-2017 and came back to India. Now, my company is applying for L1B extension again as I need to travel to U.S this year. So, my query here is to know what is the maximum period that one can stay in U.S through these kind of L1A, L1B & H1 visas? If I get my current L1B visa renewal for the next 2 years now, is it possible for me to apply for the L1B Visa again with the same or differnt employer in near future post that expiry of this extension? Because, I have plans to visit U.S down the line after 5 years for work. If that is the case, I don't want to reach or consume the maximum period of stay with my current employer itself. Can some one apply for the L1B or L1A or H1 again and again for several times in his life once the current Visa is expired and fully consumed(stayed in U.S for full tenure of seven years in L1A or full tenure of 5 years in L1B or full tenure of 6 years in H1)?

Please help me to clarify this. Thank you.

The tenure of someone staying in USA on L1 visas are for that visa alone - meaning if you are out of country (not paid in USA) for 2 years & now want to re-use the same visa/petition, you still have 4 years remaining.

If you apply for a fresh L1B visa (since it is 2 years passed already), you will get another 5 years.

Hope this helps.

[Tinku_Tom]

The tenure of someone staying in USA on L1 visas are for that visa alone - meaning if you are out of country (not paid in USA) for 2 years & now want to re-use the same visa/petition, you still have 4 years remaining.

If you apply for a fresh L1B visa (since it is 2 years passed already), you will get another 5 years.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your reply. so, it seems I can apply for extension now. And if it expires I can go for another fresh apply without any issues.

[Libra_14]

Thank you for your reply. so, it seems I can apply for extension now. And if it expires I can go for another fresh apply without any issues.

So if you are applying for extension for your existing petition - you'll get remaining 4 years.

After using that 4 years & once that expires, you'll need to be out of country for an year & then you can apply for a fresh L1 for another 5 or 7 years.