L1 to H1B conversion - what happens in between?

[tanmoy]

hello,

my L1B visa and I94 is expiring on June, and my company is applying for H1 that will be active from October. So, what happens between June and October. My company personnel tells I have to go back to India as they cant file an extension for 3 months. My question to the forum is that there must be something because this would be a fairly common scenario, isnt it?

thanks,

tanmoy

[peace999]

You posted your L1 /H1 q in the visitor visa category.


Anyway, the answer is
You can apply for a status change right before june from L-1 to B2 on your own
( go thru an attorney) and then
from B2 to H-1 through your company when you get an H-1 approval.

That said, going back to India for a visa stamp is in your interest as you will
need an H-1 visa stamp to return to US, if you have to travel outside US
during your H-1 tenure.

The downside with applying in India is the possibility of getting caught up in 221g admin. processing.

Also look up going to canada/mexico for H1 stamping.