L-1b to H-1b

[srinivasj]

Hi,

I came to the US on an L-1B visa in 2011. My L-1B expires on September 28, 2014. I got my H-1B approval and the start date on the H-1B is October 1, 2014.

1. Do I have any options to extend the L-1B to September 30, 2014, so that the H-1B automatically becomes active on October 1, 2014?
2. Would the immigration officers at USCIS provide any help in extending the L-1B so that everything remains active?
3. Can I stay in the US if my I-94 expires on September 28, 2014? OR do I need to leave and come back after having the H-1B visa stamped?

Thanks and Regards,
Srini

[raghvi]

Hi,

I came on the US on an L-1B visa in 2011. My L-1B expires on September 28, 2014. I got my H-1B approval and the start date on the H-1B is October 1, 2014. Do I have any options to extend the L-1B to September 30, 2014, so that the H-1B automatically becomes active on October 1, 2014?

Would the immigration officers at USCIS provide any help in extending the L-1B so that everything remains active?

Thanks and Regards,
Srini

If your I-94 is also expiring on 28-Sep-2014, you would be out of status on 29th and 30th Sep. Whether this can potentially impact future visa extensions or GC processing is difficult to say. There have been some forum members who commented having issues for being out of status for one day.

This is my opinion not legal advice.