L1-B Renewal Questions

[KSC90]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the US on an L1-B visa and I have some pressing questions that we can't seem to get answered elsewhere, particularly with extremely non-committal and unresponsive lawyers.

I got my visa in December last year and the stamp says it's valid for 5 years (until Dec 2024), though my I-94 expires this December. When it comes to extending my stay here, what is the process? The three scenarios I've got in my head are:

• Leaving the US and re-entering, thus obtaining a new I-94

• Applying to extend my I-94 by filing to extend my non-immigrant stay (which I assume would mean I wouldn't have to leave the country?)

• Renewing my visa (would I then have to leave the country, attend another visa interview abroad, and then return?)

Apologies if this is very basic information, but any help would be massively appreciated! With Covid19 worries in my home country, my employer and lawyers are quite busy and I'm being left in the dark out here.

[Libra_14]

What is your petition expiry date?

Since you already have a valid visa - you only need to extend your stay (I94), no need to get a new visa from any embassy.

[KSC90]

What is your petition expiry date?

I've literally just discovered what that is, our lawyers clearly didn't think it worth mentioning - but it's in mid-December this year. So I assume that will require a visa renewal and a trip to an embassy outside the USA?

[Libra_14]

I've literally just discovered what that is, our lawyers clearly didn't think it worth mentioning - but it's in mid-December this year. So I assume that will require a visa renewal and a trip to an embassy outside the USA?

No, you just need to renew your petition (Form I129) & you can continue to stay in USA (while the petition is being processing & after approval as well). No need to get new visa.