Question on L1/L2 (blanket) in-person visa appointment

[sunshine0206]

Hello everyone. I have a question on L1/L2 (blanket) in-person visa appointment availability in Chennai

Situation: My employer is having a change in legal service provider and my renewal processing is delayed due to that. Our visas are due to expire in August 2022. My wife's employment might get impacted (though EAD requirement is waived for her with the recent USCIS changes, I9 will still need a valid visa I believe). If we file our renewals from the US, I believe L2 cannot be premium processing and will take a really long time (1+ year?)

My questions:
1. What is the in-person L1/L2 visa appointment availability situation in Chennai like? Do we stand a chance to get an appointment by July 2022?
1. If we file our renewals from the US (I believe it will be a new L1 visa petition, as blanket will not be considered?), will the submission of this application be good enough for her to continue her employment (i.e I9 in August 2022)?

Appreciate any suggestions/comments/thoughts from your experiences. Thank you so much in advance !

[Libra_14]

1. What is the in-person L1/L2 visa appointment availability situation in Chennai like? Do we stand a chance to get an appointment by July 2022?

Keep checking for appointment availability every day, if someone cancels their appoint, probably you can grab that spot.

1. If we file our renewals from the US (I believe it will be a new L1 visa petition, as blanket will not be considered?),

Yes, extension of L1 will be individual petition only.

will the submission of this application be good enough for her to continue her employment (i.e I9 in August 2022)?

You can file your L1 extension with premium processing & your spouse can travel outside USA & re-enter to get her new I94 to continue using existing EAD.

[sunshine0206]

Thank you so much Libra_14 . Assuming I get my L1 premium processed here, should I still be required to get out of USA to visit the consulate for any in person or drop box stamping? Would there be such a requirement be for my wife also, or can she just exit and enter to have her I-94 reflect the latest? Thank you

[Libra_14]

Assuming I get my L1 premium processed here, should I still be required to get out of USA to visit the consulate for any in person or drop box stamping?

No, its not required, you can continue to live & work in USA. Note that visa is merely for the purpose of entry into USA (once you are inside visa validity is of no use).
if you want to visit outside USA and already have a valid visa at the time of your return, then too you do not need a new stamping.

Would there be such a requirement be for my wife also, or can she just exit and enter to have her I-94 reflect the latest?

If she got a valid visa (at the time of re-entry into USA). She can simply go out & come back to get a new I94 (showing your new approved L1 petition).
If she doesn't have a visa, then she will need to get a new visa stamped & then return.

[sunshine0206]

Thank you Libra_14