L1 to H1 COS

[rajiv460]

Hi,

I have two roommates who are currently on L1. They applied for H1B visa in April and both of them got their H1B approved one in Nov 3rd week and one Nov 4th week. We have two different cases here.

1. One friends L1B Visa expired in Nov 1st week and his I-94 is valid through 2013. his H1B approved from Nov 3rd week.

2. The second friends L1B visa is still active till June 2013 and his H1B approved from Nov 4th week.

Are these two still eligible to work for L1B employer? they are still working for L1B employer and they are planning to start working for H1B employer from Jan-Feb.

Can anyone please advise us what to do?

[manuv313]

Once H1 is permitted it's illegal to work on L1 as it's invalid.

[pradeep1978]

I have one question regarding L1 to H1 transfer.

Could you tell me if there is any difference between L1 to H1 "transfer"/"Change of Status" and L1 to "fresh H1"?

The difference I heard from one of my friend is that in case of L1 to H1 "transfer"/"Change of Status" the period of stay of 6 years is taken as combined stay of L1 and H1 but in case of L1 to "fresh H1" we have to go back to country of origin and get H1 stamped and the amount of years stayed in L1 wouldn't matter and we would get full fresh 6 years for H1, is this true??