Can I change my visa status from B2 to L1B while in the United States? 11 Answers as of January 19, 2012
Firstly I have L1Blanket and a B1/B2 visa. My question is, I am entering the United States with my B2 visa for vacation and I would be later joining the project for which L1B is needed. I want to know if I can change my status from B2 visa (the one I entered USA) to L1B visa (visa needed for me to work) while in USA without exiting and re-entering the country?Free Case Evaluation by a Local Lawyer!
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Law Offices of Svetlana Boukhny | Svetlana Boukhny
Yes, you can file for a change of status within the US.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 1/19/2012
LAW OFFICES OF ALAN R. DIAMATNE APLC | Alan R. Diamante
Normally you leave and get the proper document put in your passport.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 1/19/2012
Law Office of Sylvia Ontaneda-Bernales | Sylvia Ontaneda-Bernales
Your best and cheapest option is to enter with the L1 visa. The other option is for you to come in with B1/B2 visa, enjoy your vacation, leave and come back with the L1 visa. A third option is to go through the Change of Status process, submit all required supporting documentation relative to the L1 status, wait until the after approval in order to begin work, and pay the necessary fees for the filings and attorney company expense, by the way. Whatever option you chose the L1 visa has to be reflected in your passport. Consult with the company's immigration attorney that handled your case before you make a decision.
Answer Applies to: Maryland
Replied: 1/19/2012
Feldman Feldman & Associates, PC | Lynne Feldman
Yes provided your B-2 time on your I-94 card has not expired.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 1/19/2012
Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. | Leon Wildes
Yes. You can apply to accomplish this.
Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 1/19/2012
Baughman & Wang | Justin X. Wang
Yes you can by filing I-129. It will be much easier for you to re-enter the US, even from Canada, to get a new I-94 with L1b status.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 1/18/2012
Fong & Associates | William D. Fong
You can file for a change of status, but the company would need to pay the filing fee and attorney fee, It's really better for you to come in with the blanket L visa, and have your vacation, then start work directly afterwards. Check with your company attorney.
Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 1/18/2012
The Law Offices of Kristy Qiu | Mengjun Qiu
Yes you can. However, beware that you must not stay after the date stamped on your I-94. For example, if it says that you may only stay until Feb 1, 2012, even if your application for L1B is already pending approval, you have to leave the country before Feb 1,2012 and return to your home country to wait for the answer.
Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 1/18/2012
Law Offices of Fariba Faiz | Fraiba Faiz
Yes, you can change your status stateside as long as your I-94 is valid.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 1/18/2012
Bell, Nunnally & Martin, LLP | Karen-Lee Pollak
Yes you may change your status once you are in the United States in B status to L-1 status.
Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 1/18/2012
Law Office of Christine Troy | Christine Troy
You can certainly ask but you can't start work until the change of status is approved. Also, this will involve filing new legal forms with DHS and asking them to determine your eligibility, regardless of having a blanket L visa. Your less time consuming and financially consuming option is to travel out of the US and reenter or perhaps see if the local CBP deferred inspections unit will notate your I-94 card with the new status. You can ask the attorney who handled your case about that option.
Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 1/18/2012
