If your L1 visa is set to expire but your assignment in the U.S. is ongoing, you may be eligible for an extension. L1 extensions are possible as long as you remain in a qualifying role and your employer continues to meet the requirements set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Eligibility Basics
Before requesting an extension, it is important to check whether you are still within the allowed period of stay.
- L1A visa holders (managers and executives) can stay in the U.S. for up to seven years.
- L1B visa holders (specialized knowledge workers) are limited to five years.
These time limits include the period already spent in the U.S under L1 status. Extensions cannot go beyond these limits.
You must still be employed by the same U.S. company that filed your original petition. Your role must continue to match the classification you were approved under. The U.S. company must also maintain a qualifying relationship with its related foreign entity, such as a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.
How the Process Works
While you are the visa holder, the extension must be filed by your employer. Here is how the process generally works:
- Gather documentation
Your employer will prepare Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker. You may be asked to provide:
- Recent pay stubs
- A copy of your passport and visa
- Your current I-94 record
- Any previou.s USCIS approval notices
- File the petition
Your company files the completed Form I-129 with the USCIS before your I-94 expires. Timely filing is essential to maintain your legal status. If your case is under a blanket petition, additional documentation for that category will be included.
- Consider premium processing
If faster processing is needed, the employer may submit Form I-907 and pay the required fee. USCIS will then review and respond to the petition within 15 calendar days.
While the Petition is Pending
If the extension request is filed before your I-94 expiration, you are generally allowed to remain in the U.S. and continue working for the same employer for up to 240 days while USCIS reviews the case. This benefit only applies if the job and employer remain unchanged.
After receiving the petition, USCIS will issue a receipt notice. They may later approve the extension, deny it, or issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). If an RFE is issued, your employer must respond by the deadline in order to keep the petition active.
Looking Ahead
Extensions are usually granted in two-year increments, but they cannot go beyond the maximum stay limit for your visa type. Once you reach five years on L1B or seven years on L1A, further extensions are not permitted. At that point, your employer may consider filing for a different visa category, or you may need to plan to leave the U.S.