L1B Visa Extension- when and how?

[ajdaruka13]

Hi,

I got my L1-B Visa on May 2012 and is currently valid till May 2015. I have I-94 date till Nov 2016.
And, I will be visiting India in Feb 2015 and when I return in Feb 2015 I might get a new i-94 date.

So, what is the best I shall do for Visa extension and from where/when I shall apply for the extension?

[raghvi]

Hi,

I got my L1-B Visa on May 2012 and is currently valid till May 2015. I have I-94 date till Nov 2016.
And, I will be visiting India in Feb 2015 and when I return in Feb 2015 I might get a new i-94 date.

So, what is the best I shall do for Visa extension and from where/when I shall apply for the extension?

Do you want to extend the visa or do you want to extend working and staying in US? Both are two different things.

Beyond May 2015, in order to return into US, you need to get a new visa stamped in the passport. For that you need to attend a visa interview at a US consulate outside US.

Now, when you return in Feb 2015, whether you can work and stay beyond May 2015 or not will depend upon the I-94 you get at that time.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[ajdaruka13]

Do you want to extend the visa or do you want to extend working and staying in US? Both are two different things.

Beyond May 2015, in order to return into US, you need to get a new visa stamped in the passport. For that you need to attend a visa interview at a US consulate outside US.

Now, when you return in Feb 2015, whether you can work and stay beyond May 2015 or not will depend upon the I-94 you get at that time.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

I want to work and stay in US after May 2015. I am planning to have my L1B visa extended through my company when I travel to India in Feb 2015 at US Consulate.
It is necessary to do this visa process in Feb 2015...correct? I cannot just wait and expect on the i-94 which I get on my return in Feb 2015.

Also, If I do not apply for extension/visa stamping and if I donot get a long i-94 date when I return in Feb 2015, what are my options then?

[raghvi]

I want to work and stay in US after May 2015. I am planning to have my L1B visa extended through my company when I travel to India in Feb 2015 at US Consulate.
It is necessary to do this visa process in Feb 2015...correct? I cannot just wait and expect on the i-94 which I get on my return in Feb 2015.

Also, If I do not apply for extension/visa stamping and if I donot get a long i-94 date when I return in Feb 2015, what are my options then?

With the L1 rejection rates high, normally folks are avoiding going for a stamping or extension hence they avoid travel outside US so that they don't lose their I-94.

If you and your immigration team feel confident of your specialized skill sets then you can attend L1 interview during your trip in Feb 2015. But the biggest risk, is that if for some reason it is rejected you most probably will not be able to come back on L1.

If you are not willing to take that risk, then advised to file extension of status in US upon your return in Feb 2015 based upon the I-94 you get at that time. This way even if extension rejected while in US, it will give you some time to wrap up your things here.

This is my opinion not legal advice.