Can L1B visa be extended?

Applicants may be allowed L1 visa extensions of up to two years at a time until they have been in the US for seven years, for L1A employees, and five years, for L1B employees. Both L1A and L1B visa holders may apply for an L1 visa renewal or extension.

What happens when L1B expires?

For specialized employees, who would possess the L-1B visa, the validity period can only be extended to a maximum of five years. So if your goal is to stay in the U.S. beyond the allotted maximum, then you will need to either obtain a new L-1 visa or transfer your status to a new visa like the H-1B.

How long is L1B visa valid?

1 year
How long is an L1B visa valid for? An L1B visa will be initially granted for 3 years, if you are a specialized employee transferring to an existing U.S office. If you are opening a new office in the US, the L1B visa will be granted for a period of 1 year.

How many times can I extend my L-1 visa?

An L-1 visa extension can be granted in two-year increments at a time up to the maximum duration for each visa category. The L-1A visa for managers and executives has a maximum period of stay of seven years while the L-1B visa for workers with specialized knowledge has one for five years.

Can you move from L1B to L1A?

Yes, you can. To apply for a change of status from L1B to L1A, your employer must petition your case to USCIS before your current L1B visa expires.

What happens if you don’t get an L1b visa extension?

Needless to say, without an approved L1B visa extension you will be required to leave the United States and, by default, your U.S. job. To be able to reapply for an L1B visa you would need to work abroad for a minimum period of one year.

What do you need to know about the L1b visa?

The L1B visa sub-classification is specifically for employees who possess specialised knowledge about a company’s products, services or procedures such that they are integral to the success of that company. L1B visa holders are commonly known as “specialised knowledge” employees.

How long does it take for a L1b application to be processed?

Once your L1B petition has been filed, the processing time is usually between 30 to 90 days, although in some cases in can take as long as 6-8 months depending on the backlog of the particular service centre used. Your U.S. employer can opt to pay an additional fee to expedite the processing time to within 15 calendar days of receipt.