Travel after L1 passport Visa expires

[broomt]

Hello,

I am not sure why but it seems nearly impossible to get an answer on this, so would be very grateful if anyone can help here....

L1 Visa, first arrived in the US in April 2005 L1 expired April 2008 and was extended ( I539 approved ) until April 2010. I Came from London England originally but now need to visit Israel on business for my employer and the Visa in my passport originally valid until April 2008 needs to be replaced / extended ? not sure. I have been told I have to visit a consulate outside the state to do this, the obvious chouice being in Israel at the beginning of my visit. They seem geared up to dealing with people from Israel obviously and although they have made an appointment for me I am worried that this might not go smoothly. Hopefully there must be people in similar situations. I called the USCIS who actually told me the I539 was enough to re enter with, nobody else ( lawyer etc ) seem to agree. Please help ! Thanks in advance.

[txh1b]

USCIS call center folks are not qualified or educated about the laws. You need a visa to enter the US along with a valid I797. I

539??? This does not seem like a document that you get from USCIS. This is what one applies for a Change of status and it does not apply to L1 visa in the first place.

Third country consulates are not obligated to process the visa but you can try. You may be directed to your home country consulate to get the visa stamped. You could also try Mexico/Canada or other places to get the visa renewed.

[broomt]

Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it. Yes the I539 was as a result of a change of status thats true, I came over on an L1B and it was converted when we applied for the extention to an L1A based on previous job and a promotion @ the existing Job.

I wrote to the embassy in Isreal and they suggested they could do this, but in speaking to them they seemd uncertain, it sounds as though you would not advise proceeding with this trip ?

I do not want to get stuck there after all and obviously I do need to have the visa renewed before I re enter the states.

Thanks again