How do you calculate the L-1 expiration date?

The L-1 expiration date that actually matters is the one shown on Form I-94, issued by CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) upon your entry into the United States. It indicates the authorized period of stay, and should not be confused with the validity of the visa stamp in your passport.

To calculate it, the way to go is to look at the I-94 and the petition approval:

• check the entry date and the authorized period on the I-94;
• the initial grant is typically up to three years (one year for a new office);
• remember that the I-94, not the visa in the passport, is the legal limit of the stay.

It is worth knowing that the maximum period of stay is seven years for L-1A and five years for L-1B, with extensions granted in increments of up to two years. Since these limits can change, confirm the updated timeframes with the official source and, if in doubt, have a specialist validate your case.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.