A Complex Case: H1B to L1B after a long gap

[StatChg]

I was on H1B visa from May 2005 till I left US in Nov 2007, so I was essentially on H1B for about 2.5 years. A bit of background - Before my H1B, I was on OPT for about 8-9 months and on F1 visa prior to that. Currently I am on B1 visa and have travelled to US couple of times in last few years. My company, with whom I am employed for several years and which is eligible for blanket petitions, would now like to process my L1B.

 

My question is, if my employer applies for L1B, 

(1) how many years can I work on L1B visa? I read somewhere that the previous H1B duration can also count towards the 5 years allowed on L1B. Is that true?

 

(2) How can I stay beyond the L1B expiry - can green card petition be filed to continue stay in US? or can I change my status to H1B later and finish the remaining years of H1B (6-2.5=3.5) ?

 

(3) If instead of L1B, my employer files for H1B now, then can I start immediately upon approval? Do I get full 6 years in that case?

 

Thanks. Expecting responses.