Does the time spent on an L-1B count towards the 7 years if promoted to L-1A?

Let”s start by understanding that the L-1 visa encompasses two categories: L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge and L-1A for executives or managers. Each has its maximum period of stay – 5 years for L-1B and 7 years for L-1A. A common question is whether the time spent on an L-1B visa is considered when switching categories to L-1A.

In practice, if the beneficiary moves from L-1B to L-1A, the period already accumulated under L-1B does count towards the maximum allowed time under the L-1 status. For example, if you have already spent 2 years in the United States on an L-1B visa and later become eligible to change to L-1A for having assumed an executive or managerial position, those 2 years already used will be counted within the total limit of 7 years that applies to the L-1A visa. Thus, you would have, at most, 5 additional years available for the L-1A, respecting the overall 7-year rule.

It”s important to remember that the time count does not ”reset” upon changing the category. Every day spent in the United States under L-1 status counts; therefore, the beneficiary must be attentive to their total duration of stay. Additionally, for the change from L-1B to L-1A to be effected, it is necessary to prove that the current position truly fits the requirements of an executive or manager according to U.S. immigration guidelines.

Given that immigration laws are complex and subject to updates, it is essential to strictly follow established regulations and seek information from official sources and qualified experts in the field. This caution helps avoid misunderstandings and protects against inaccurate information or promises of guaranteed results, often disseminated by marketing campaigns without legal backing.

I hope this explanation clarifies your doubt and helps you better understand how the time count works on the L-1 visa when a category change occurs.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.