H1 to L1 transfers -Urgent

[nair_s]

I have been working with a company A from July 99 onwards in India, and in 04, the company applied for my H1B and I got it and since the valid period i have been in US since Oct 04.My visa is valid till oct '07. Meanwhile in 06, my company A merged with company B. Now in July 06 while i am being moved to another site for a new project in US, my current company B says I can't work here with the existing H1 visa and it will process my L1.a) Why is this being done? I am not clear of the grounds for my ineligibility to working with my H1 visa though it is valid till Oct'07 and b)how having an L1 will resolve this problem. Please clarify? Thanks. Also c)will not getting an L1 require me to go back to India, and d)also its processing and an interview take 6-8 months?

[curiousone]

I have been working with a company A from July 99 onwards in India, and in 04, the company applied for my H1B and I got it and since the valid period i have been in US since Oct 04.My visa is valid till oct '07. Meanwhile in 06, my company A merged with company B. Now in July 06 while i am being moved to another site for a new project in US, my current company B says I can't work here with the existing H1 visa and it will process my L1.a) Why is this being done? I am not clear of the grounds for my ineligibility to working with my H1 visa though it is valid till Oct'07 and b)how having an L1 will resolve this problem. Please clarify? Thanks. Also c)will not getting an L1 require me to go back to India, and d)also its processing and an interview take 6-8 months?

I think your company is mistaken and in fact I'm not sure that your'r even eligibile for the L as you would not be able to satisfy the overseas working experience component having been in the US for the last two years
Getting a L does not require you to go back to India however once you leave the US you must go to the Embassy to have it stamped before you could reenter the US in that category. talk again to your employer and ask why exactly do you need a L I

[vijaysank]

Normally H1's are valid for a stay upto six years in US. If you apply for GC then you can extend this process. Or otherwise You should stay out of the country for a year once you complete a six year duration in US. L1 has two types L1A and L1B which L1A has a validity of seven years ( Managers) and L1B for five years. If you would about to complete six years and your GC process is yet to be started then this can happen. Remember with L1A you can stay in US upto 7 years and stay out of the country for a year ( If you are not processing GC).