H1B to L2 Conversion

[sudgopal]

Hi folks,

I have a valid L1A visa till July 2015. I am currently in India and shall start my work in US from 1st Of March 2013. My wife is currently in US in H1B visa and she has been staying there for the past 6 years. Her visa expires on 11 March 2013.

We have worked out that her H1B max-out date is 7 Sep 2013 and she has applied for her H1B extension to extend till this maxout. But her extension case got into an "RFE" now. She has to respond to this on or before end of April 2013. We are thinking of getting her an "L2 Visa" and continue stay here. I understand that this "H1B to L2 Conversion" falls under a concept called "bridging".

Can anyone of you please explain the pre-requisites and possible hindrances for this conversion?

Thanks a ton.

[kabkaba]

It will be a bridge application only if her current I-94 has expired at the time of filing for change of status.

Bridge applications depend on the first extension of status being approved. Another option for her is to simply leave the US and return with an L2 Visa.