Valid I-94 for L1B through COS but never applied for L1B Visa

[Rahul Ravindran]

I arrived on a B1 Visa three years ago and since then applied for a COS to L1B which is still valid for another year on I-94. Since I got my L1B through a COS, I have never applied for a L1B Visa. I found hundreds of inquiries on here about expired L1B Visas but none on someone who has never had the Visa. I would like to travel to India for a couple of weeks. I am assuming that I would apply for a fresh L1B Visa just like someone who has never had a work permit but I can show my I-94 and approval notice. I assume I will just get a L1B Visa with an expiration date that might match up with my current I-94.

Are my assumptions correct? Should I be doing anything differently? Am I required to produce all documentation that I originally presented for my L1B COS approval or does my I-94 negate that? I guess, in a nutshell, is this more of a formality (considering I have worked here legally for two years with one year pending on the same category) or should I be prepared for a full round of interview?

Additionally, is there a cause for concern that I got on my L1B through a COS? I've read somewhere that it might raise questions seeing as I traveled to the US with the intention of a temporary business visit but then went ahead to apply for work permit. I have documentation showcasing the reason for change in plans but just curious if this is a concern at all.

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your help!

[raghvi]

I arrived on a B1 Visa three years ago and since then applied for a COS to L1B which is still valid for another year on I-94. Since I got my L1B through a COS, I have never applied for a L1B Visa. I found hundreds of inquiries on here about expired L1B Visas but none on someone who has never had the Visa. I would like to travel to India for a couple of weeks. I am assuming that I would apply for a fresh L1B Visa just like someone who has never had a work permit but I can show my I-94 and approval notice. I assume I will just get a L1B Visa with an expiration date that might match up with my current I-94.

Are my assumptions correct? Should I be doing anything differently? Am I required to produce all documentation that I originally presented for my L1B COS approval or does my I-94 negate that? I guess, in a nutshell, is this more of a formality (considering I have worked here legally for two years with one year pending on the same category) or should I be prepared for a full round of interview?

Additionally, is there a cause for concern that I got on my L1B through a COS? I've read somewhere that it might raise questions seeing as I traveled to the US with the intention of a temporary business visit but then went ahead to apply for work permit. I have documentation showcasing the reason for change in plans but just curious if this is a concern at all.

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your help!

What were the dates on the I129S?