L1B-Extension RFE- options-what to do?

[gauravmactian]

My current L1-B-Blanket Visa and I-94 are expiring on Jan 31 2013. My company applied for L1B- Individual Visa extension, but i got a RFE , with questions on my specialised training and skills.
I last entered the country in July 21 2012. I have some questions- please help.

1. Should i go to local CBP office- to get extended my I-94- as i heard, CBP is supposed to give I-94 with 2/3 year extension- when you last entered the country? This means i would withdraw my RFE and L1B Visa extension applcation, if i got my I-94 extended?

2. Should i go ahead in answering the RFE? As my current I-94 is valid till Jan 31 2013, and its already Nov middle- should i convert my RFE on L1B Visa extension to Premium processing, to get an early answer- so as i can plan on my future in advance. I dont want to be in condition- wherein i get a denial on my L1B extension, after my I-94 expiraton , and i would be asked to elave the country within 1 week. Please advice. If converting RFE to premium processing is ok- or it increases probablity of denials more??

[raghvi]

My current L1-B-Blanket Visa and I-94 are expiring on Jan 31 2013. My company applied for L1B- Individual Visa extension, but i got a RFE , with questions on my specialised training and skills.
I last entered the country in July 21 2012. I have some questions- please help.

1. Should i go to local CBP office- to get extended my I-94- as i heard, CBP is supposed to give I-94 with 2/3 year extension- when you last entered the country? This means i would withdraw my RFE and L1B Visa extension applcation, if i got my I-94 extended?

2. Should i go ahead in answering the RFE? As my current I-94 is valid till Jan 31 2013, and its already Nov middle- should i convert my RFE on L1B Visa extension to Premium processing, to get an early answer- so as i can plan on my future in advance. I dont want to be in condition- wherein i get a denial on my L1B extension, after my I-94 expiraton , and i would be asked to elave the country within 1 week. Please advice. If converting RFE to premium processing is ok- or it increases probablity of denials more??

Since your visa is expiring Jan 2013 they issued you an I-94 valid til Jan 2013 I dont see anything wrong in that.

1. Its not a rule that they should give you a 2/3 year valid I-94. If you walk in to the CBP office they will most likely ask you to apply for extension and get new I-94 from USCIS as your visa itself is expiring in Jan 2013.
2. You should answer your RFE as soon as possible and also upgrade your case to premium so as to not get stuck in the situation. Its a wrong understanding that is floating around that if one applies in premium there are more chances of denial. If you indeed have specialized skill sets and are eligible for extension you would get one.

This is my opinion not legal advice.