Max Duration Before L1B/L2B Extension

[jgramya]

Hello Sir/Madam,

My L1B Visa is valid till Mar 1st 2012.
I94 is valid till May 1st 2014.

What is the duration before which my employer can apply for L1B/L2B extension ?

Is there any rule such that, extension can be applied only before maximum of 6 months before expiry of I94 ?

Please let me know.

Many thanks in advance !

Ramya

[kabkaba]

Yes, extensions can only be filed 6 months before I-94 date. There is no need to file anything before that. Why do you want that?

[jgramya]

Max Duration Before L1B/L2B Extension

Thanks for your response.

My VISA expires on Mar1st 2012 but an official trip to India has been planned during 2nd week of April. By then my VISA would have expired and if I leave the country my I94 goes invalid and I would have to re-apply for a new VISA.

Then is the only way out for this is applying a new VISA altogether ?

Please suggest !

Thanks again !!!

[kabkaba]

Visa and petition are two different things. I think your petition is blanket petition and there is no expiry date for that. If so, there is no need to file the petition again.

You need a valid Visa in your passport (what some people call 'stamping') in order to return to US. It does not matter whether the petition is extended or not, you still need a Visa when yours is expired anyway. So irrespective of the I-94 expiry date, petition expiry date etc., if you leave after February, you will have to get a Visa from a consulate/embassy in your home country.

The typical 'extension' petition filed with USCIS extends your I-94 (right to stay in the US) and work authorization (right to work). It does not extend the Visa in your passport which gives you the right to travel to US.

[jgramya]

thanks for your response