Total Stay for L1 Visa

[prasadc153]

Hi I initially got my L1B in 2009 October, for 3 Years, I entered in U.S 2010 March , applied for L1 A Individual 2012 September , got approved until 2014 September , Applied for extension of same visa got approved until 2016 September .
This will almost complete my 7 Years of L1 Visa except that I entered 6 months after the Visa issue, and couple of months vacation I have 8 more months for one more extension .

Last week I visited IndiA for vacation , went for Visa stamping , my Visa stamped until September 2020 is this really valid criteria to stay and work in U.S ? Or I can legally can stAy only up to expiration of my I 797 ? Or I can stay expiration of I 797 +8 moths pending for completion of 7 Years period ? Please advise

[raghvi]

Hi I initially got my L1B in 2009 October, for 3 Years, I entered in U.S 2010 March , applied for L1 A Individual 2012 September , got approved until 2014 September , Applied for extension of same visa got approved until 2016 September .
This will almost complete my 7 Years of L1 Visa except that I entered 6 months after the Visa issue, and couple of months vacation I have 8 more months for one more extension .

Last week I visited IndiA for vacation , went for Visa stamping , my Visa stamped until September 2020 is this really valid criteria to stay and work in U.S ? Or I can legally can stAy only up to expiration of my I 797 ? Or I can stay expiration of I 797 +8 moths pending for completion of 7 Years period ? Please advise

First of all you need to calculate actual days present in US since March 2010.

You should not stay beyond the 7 Year limitation. Even if you have been approved a visa, I129, and I-94. Do the math and calculate when you would actually finish the 7 Years physical presence in US and plan accordingly. Isn't your GC started?


This is my opinion not legal advice.