B1 Travel visa and L1B Held

[ZA citizen]

Hi

I currently hold both a B1/B2 (Travel VISA) and an L1B VISA. I am currently working in the USA under a L1B VISA. My Contract ends on March 25 2011. I plan to travel for pleasure for a few weeks on my B1/B2 VISA. My query is therefore that I entered the United States on the L1B VISA and then plan to exit on the B1/B2 VISA.

I want to know if this is permissible. If not how should this be done? Should I “exit” on the L1B on the March 26th and enter on B1/B2 on that date. If this is the case please advise how I go about doing this, ie would I go to Immigration at the airport OR to Social Security etc? No one at my comapny seems to be able to answer my question nor at my consulate.

I am aware that I could apply for change of status of the L1 visa (at a cost of about $230), however as I already have a valid 10 year multi entry VISA, I cant believe that this should be necessary?

Thank you, I appreciate your advice.

ZA Citizen

 

[Firebug4]

Hi

I currently hold both a B1/B2 (Travel VISA) and an L1B VISA. I am currently working in the USA under a L1B VISA. My Contract ends on March 25 2011. I plan to travel for pleasure for a few weeks on my B1/B2 VISA. My query is therefore that I entered the United States on the L1B VISA and then plan to exit on the B1/B2 VISA.

I want to know if this is permissible. If not how should this be done? Should I “exit” on the L1B on the March 26th and enter on B1/B2 on that date. If this is the case please advise how I go about doing this, ie would I go to Immigration at the airport OR to Social Security etc? No one at my comapny seems to be able to answer my question nor at my consulate.

I am aware that I could apply for change of status of the L1 visa (at a cost of about $230), however as I already have a valid 10 year multi entry VISA, I cant believe that this should be necessary?

Thank you, I appreciate your advice.

ZA Citizen

You can not be admitted to the United States under two separate non-immigrant classes at the same time. You have been admitted as a L1. You don't specifically state when that status expires. You may travel for pleasure on that L1 as long as the admission (I-94) has not expired. If you want to stay past the expiration of the L1, you would have to do one of two things. 1) File a change of status and extension of stay to a B2 admission. You would do that through a CIS office. 2) You would have to physically leave the United States and return using your B2 visa. You can't just go to an airport to do this, you actually have to leave the US and return making application with your B2 Visa.

FB

 

[ZA citizen]

Thank you for your reply. Sorry My I94 admission will only expire during 2012. So that should be fine. My concern was that I will no longer be employed by my current employer and based on prior understanding, that the L1 would no longer be valid for travel once employment had ceased.

I really appreciate your advice!

Thank you

 

[Firebug4]

Thank you for your reply. Sorry My I94 admission will only expire during 2012. So that should be fine. My concern was that I will no longer be employed by my current employer and based on prior understanding, that the L1 would no longer be valid for travel once employment had ceased.

I really appreciate your advice!

Thank you

There is generally a reasonable amount of time given at the end of the employment to put your affairs in order, such as to arrange moving or shipping personal items, sell cars etc. You are not expected to be on a plane on the last day of your employment.

FB