blanket L1 with timespent in usa on B1

[hbusa]

Hi i got my B1 visa through company1 in 2006 and travel to USA for few weeks.

I joined company2 in Aug 2006. Company2 is a 100% owned captive unit of a large company in USA. I have traveled to USA on B1 visa to the parent company 3 times since then spending 3 months, 2 months and then again 3 months with short intervals for system study.

Now company2 wants to process my blanket L1 (approved in Nov 2005) in Oct 2007.

I have completed 1 year in the company2, so have 12 pay stubs from company2. so the person who applies for visa in my company says i can simply get L1 stamped though i have not completed 1 year with company2 outside usa.

is this correct ?

my understanding was i need to be outside USA for 1 yr even on a blanket ( post jun05) before entering usa on L1

please help

 

[techie8]

You are right. You need to work outside the US for a period of one year prior to becoming eligible for the L1 visa.

Check the last paragraph on the first page in the link below.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/L1_VisaReformAct_062305.pdf