jammiie

Hi BE,

I'm currently almost 2 years into my L1-B visa with my wife alongside me on L2.

I've read that current extension processing times are reaching 9 months, so presume our attornies will be kicking off the extension process within the next 3-6 months.

My question is if we will need to go back to the US embassy in London to reinterview for the extension and if it is essential that my wife comes with me?

CA-NY

Pretty sure you only need to go to the Embassy if your petition is going to expire as well. So even though the visa was for 3 years, if your PED is for 5 years, you don't need to go to the Embassy. But if it turns out you do need to visit the Embassy, then yes both of you need to attend.

scrubbedexpat099

Are you looking for status in the US or do you need a visa?

jammiie

I'm sorry I don't understand the question.

I'm looking to extend my current L1-B visa for the additional 2 years that it allows.

scrubbedexpat099

Status allows you to stay in the US, a Visa also allows you to come and go.

GeneralPowerpoint

The visa and the status are different things that have different expirations.

With an L1 often the visa is valid for 5 years, even though the underlying status expires after 3.

I suspect the expiry date you're about to hit is the expiry date for the status, not the visa.

jammiie

Ah OK, then yes it is the status that needs extending after 3 years for an additional 2 years which is the limit for L1-B.

Do I need to visit the embassy in London to do this?

scrubbedexpat099

Just wondering where the Company Immigration Lawyer is and why you are being left in the lurch.

TheKingOfHearts

You do not need to visit the embassy as long as it is your PED date that is expiring, not your underlying L1 expiry.

It is common practice that they'll issue an L1 with a 5 year date and a 3 year PED, then extend the PED by 2 years.

That being said; your company must file this for you, so their immigration lawyer should be advising the next steps here.

jammiie

I was hoping that the forum might provide me with a simple answer before I took the question through any official channels. After all, isn't that what BE is for?

I have now reached out to our in-house counsel and they have advised that I WILL have to visit the U.S. Embassy in London.

The response was that my initial visa was issued for a period of 3 years and as such, a renewal for the additional 2 years will require a visit under our company's Blanket L agreement.