TheOneOcean

Hi,
I arrived in USA on a B1-B2 Visa.

My Company filed for a change of status from a B1 to L-1 Executive and that has been now approved.

Problem is that I need to travel for business to Canada and I am being told that Now that my Visa status has been changed from B1 to L1... My B1 can no longer be used for travel and that I should use the L1 for travelling. But in order for me to use it, I need have it stamped in my passport first. Which apprently requires me to leave the AMERICAN CONTINENT, and go back to the UK.

If I go to Canada, I cant come back into the USA since my B1 will no longer be valid and my L1 will not be stamped.

Is it possible atall for me to have my new visa change of status actually stamped in my passport without leaving the States?

I maintain a recidence in the U.K but I am not a british passport holder.

Thanks very much for your help and any possible alternative that you might be able to offer which can save me the trip back to London and the waiting time in London for the approval and stamping of visa. I'd really really appreciate any help and advise that you can provide.

Thanks

~Ocean~

Ivonne

You can get your visa stamped in Canada at a US consulate.

J. J. Farrell

TheOneOcean <member26852@british_expats.com> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > I arrived in USA on a B1-B2 Visa.
    >
    > My Company filed for a change of
    > status from a B1 to L-1 Executive and that has been now approved.
    > Problem is that I need to travel for business to Canada and I am
    > being told that Now that my Visa status has been changed from B1 to
    > L1... My B1 can no longer be used for travel and that I should use the
    > L1 for travelling. But in order for me to use it, I need have it
    > stamped in my passport first. Which apprently requires me to leave the
    > AMERICAN CONTINENT, and go back to the UK.
    >
    > If I go to Canada, I cant come back into the USA since my B1 will
    > no longer be valid and my L1 will not be stamped.

Your B-1 visa should still be valid, and you could (in principle)
use it to re-enter the USA. The problem is that you would then be
in B-1 status, and unable to work at your L-1 job. If you want to
re-enter as an L-1, in general you need an L-1 visa.

    > Is it possible atall for me to have my new visa change of status
    > actually stamped in my passport without leaving the States?

No. You cannot get USA visas within the USA.

    > I maintain a recidence in the U.K but I am not a british
    > passport holder.
    >
    > Thanks very much for your help and any possible
    > alternative that you might be able to offer which can save me the trip
    > back to London and the waiting time in London for the approval and
    > stamping of visa. I'd really really appreciate any help and advise that
    > you can provide.

If your trip to Canada is less than a few weeks, you may be able
to hold on to your L-1 I-94 card and re-enter using that to continue
your current period of stay in the USA. I'm not sure of the precise
rules governing this, so I can't be sure that it applies in this case.

You may also be able to apply for an L-1 visa at any USA Consulate -
one in Canada for example. Again, I'm not sure of the exact rules.
There are some circumstances in which you must go to your country
of citizenship or normal residence for visas. In any case, Consulates
other than in your "home" country are never obliged to deal with your
application - they could simply decline, in which case you would need
to get one from your home country before re-entering the USA.

Be prepared for it taking many months to get a visa once you apply,
if the Consulate decides to do a security check.