Stamping Query: Travel internationally with L1 to H1 COS approved

[DM12321]

Hi,

If an employee have a valid stamped L1B until June 2019  with employer A and the same employer has filed for H1B With COS (change of status) & it got approved and is valid from 1st Oct 2018. If that employee have international travel plans (outside of US) , Can employee come back to US on valid L1 visa stamp or need to have H1B visa for US POE, as COS from L1 to H1B is already approved (valid from 1st Oct 2018). (Employer is same for both L1 & H1b Visa) ?since employee don't have any plans to get h1 stamped in this trip, Please suggest.
 

[pontevecchio]

You can come back on the L1 visa and you will be in L1 status. If you want to be in H1 status after you return, you will need a H1 visa.

[JoeF]

If the person uses the L1 visa to enter the person would be in L1 status.
To be in H1 status, the person would have to enter using an H1 visa, or the employer would have to file (and pay for) another H1 petition with COS.