L1B to L1A conversion

[shre09]

Hi, I am currently on L1B visa and is expiring by end of Jul-2013. I am completing my 5 year term on L1B by end of Nov-2013. I have my I-94 till Jan-2015. I am getting promoted as a manager and my company planning to apply L1A for me soon. We are expecting a baby around July-2013 and I am really worried about recent rejections with L1As. Hence I need help in answering below Qs
(1) If my L1A petition gets rejected,
(a) can I still stay here on L1B till I complete 5 year term or
(b) can I still stay here on L1B till my L1B visa expiry date?
(2) Can I delay my L1A petition as far as end of my 5 year completion?
(3) If rejected, can we apply for extension of stay on medical grounds?
(4) Any other options that would help me?

[raghvi]

Hi, I am currently on L1B visa and is expiring by end of Jul-2013. I am completing my 5 year term on L1B by end of Nov-2013. I have my I-94 till Jan-2015. I am getting promoted as a manager and my company planning to apply L1A for me soon. We are expecting a baby around July-2013 and I am really worried about recent rejections with L1As. Hence I need help in answering below Qs
(1) If my L1A petition gets rejected,
(a) can I still stay here on L1B till I complete 5 year term or
(b) can I still stay here on L1B till my L1B visa expiry date?
(2) Can I delay my L1A petition as far as end of my 5 year completion?
(3) If rejected, can we apply for extension of stay on medical grounds?
(4) Any other options that would help me?

1. a. Yes. You can stay max 5 years physical stay on L1B
1. b. Yes. Yes as your I-94 is valid till Nov-2013
2. Its in your employers hand.
3. If USCIS asks you to leave you cant stay on medical grounds unless you convert to a medicla tourism visa on which you cant work.

You can apply for H1 in April 2013 with start date of 01-Oct-2013 and you potentially can stay till Oct 2014 on H1 without having to leave US.

This is my opinion not legal advice.