When extending an L-1 work visa you must be in the United States to be able to apply with the United State Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your status expires. How do you know when your L-1 visa status expires? You should be able to identify the expiry date on your Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. The I-94 should have:
- The L-1 visa beneficiary’s name
- An I-94 identification number
- Along with the date you entered the U.S
- The status in which you entered the country and
- The expiration date of your status.
The Form I-94 is made accessible on the website for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to all who have been granted legal entry into the U.S.
In terms of the right timing to file a petition to extend status, it’s only necessary that USCIS receives your petition to extend L-1 status by the date the status expires. In other words, there is no need to worry about USCIS granting your employer permission to extend before your status expires.
What Does the Process for Extending an L-1 Work Visa Look Like
To be able to extend an L-1 visa in the U.S. the employer must file an I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with USCIS, on behalf of the employee that is being transferred to the U.S. When the petition is submitted you must be physically present in the U.S. Note that there is a general list of supporting documentation that should be included with the Form I-129. Depending on your work history and your circumstances additional information will be required. If you are uncertain about what all documents you need to provide when filing your extension, ask an immigration legal representative to help you and ensure to ask the right questions about extending your L-1 work visa.
Get The Help You Need
Petitioning for an extension of an L-1 Work Visa will demand that you have an immigration lawyer advise & assist you with the process. You don’t want to forget vital information when completing the necessary forms and gathering of supporting documents. Gambacorta Law Office is one call away. Call us today at 847 443 9303 for an appointment.