L1B to H1B

[arpug8]

Hi,

I am currently on L1-B and my visa and I94 dates expire in Jun12. I would complete my stay of 4.5 yrs in US on L1-B by June'12.

My question is:

1. Is there any possibility to continue stay on L1B as my stay would not be 5 yrs by June?

2. Can my company apply my H1B now and I can continue on H1B as change of status? Or do I need to go out of US, get H1B stamped and then come back in Oct'12 (as I think employment is eligible after 1st June only on H1B)?

3. Is there any other option to continue after June'12?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

[JoeF]

Hi,

I am currently on L1-B and my visa and I94 dates expire in Jun12. I would complete my stay of 4.5 yrs in US on L1-B by June'12.

My question is:

1. Is there any possibility to continue stay on L1B as my stay would not be 5 yrs by June?

No.

2. Can my company apply my H1B now and I can continue on H1B as change of status? Or do I need to go out of US, get H1B stamped and then come back in Oct'12 (as I think employment is eligible after 1st June only on H1B)?

An H1 would only start on Oct. 1 the earliest.

Until then, you would have to leave the country.

[JoeF]

If your stay on L1 is not yet 5 years by the time the current L1 expires, you could get an L1 extension.

Also note that you would only get 6 years minus the time on L1 for the H1.

[arpug8]

Thanks JoeF for your answers.

Would I be able to get L1 Extension and new I-94 without going out of US?

How long usually it takes to process L1 extension? Is there anything like premium processing for L1 extensions?

Appreciate your help.