renewal or extension of I-94?

[tracifrost]

:confused:
ok guys can we shed some light on this one? i am really confused.
some of you may know that i am here on an L1, i am due for my first renewal in August. so just around the corner.
some people are telling me rather than go for a renewal you can extend your I-94 form. which i am aware that this is done all the time, but usually for E2 holders. Now im not pointing the finger at ANY E2 holders here, but isnt an extension of the I-94 commonly used for E2 holders because they dread the renewal process??
so here i am asking do i do both? extend my I-94 form then apply for my renewal later?
some people are saying they extend their I-94 because they cannot make the time to go back the embassy in London, where the visa was issued? hmmm. Or is it because I-94 allows for extra time in the country allowing say for the visa holder to get everything 'ready' for the renewal stage?
So here i am asking what is best to do, i know you remain landlocked on the I-94 form, but my friend flew to the bahama's for his renewal and i was under the impression that you had to go to the country it was issued in???
please could someone shed some light on this whole renewal and I-94 process.
thank you x

[lorraine]

Hi Traci we did our L1 renewal last June. You need to apply via either Texas or Vermont for your I94 once you have that back you then make the appt at London for your visa interview. We got our I94 back then went to London and had the visa put in passport again for another 2 years. If we didnt go back for the interview we would have been landlocked something that we would not want. We are now in the process of going for the green card.

Hope this helps you can pm if you need futher info. Take care Lorraine

[chris]

Traci,
What people use the I-94 for is not relevant to the question or answer. You are only stoking up trouble for yourself by bringing that in to the equation.
The simple thing to remember is that the Visa, irrespective of E or L status is a TRAVEL document allowing you multiple entry/exit during its period of currency. Visas are issued by the State dept, which you already know.
The I-94 on the otherhand is the document issued by the USCIS allowing you legal entry into the US to pursue what your Visa has been issued for. That I-94 is issued for a maximum period of 2 years. If your Visa is current you can extend that I-94 by simply leaving the US and coming back. You hand in the old I-94 when you leave and get a new one when you come back in. A simple task and dosn't cost you anything other than your travel.
If you are one of the Visa holders who has a visa (E or L) that has expired, in order to remain in the US and continue doing what you were originally allowed in to do on your Visa at the time, you have to apply direct to the USCIS for an 'Extension of Status'. To do this incurs fees and is not simply filling a form, paying the fee and getting it back by return. It takes time, you have to supply evidence that you are still doing what you came her to do. If USCIS are satisfied, they will issue you a new I-94 good for 2 years. If they don't, you can appeal, but you'll be given 30 days notice to quit.
I cannot comment on Lvisas viz thew renewal process as I've alwasy been on E2. However, by not renewing your E2 Visa , but still maintaining status with USCIS you are doing everything perfectly legal and you are under no obligation to renew said E2 Visa, unless of course you want multiple entry/exit facilities.
Clear enough?

[kirtida8]

Hi Traci,

I recently extended my I-94 because I cannot leave my business unattended, not because I am putting off the renewal of my visa in London. Extending your I-94 gives you the option of more time running your business whilst waiting for the renewal to occur through London, especially considering the time it takes. This way you avoid your I-94 expiring and having to return home until your visa is renewed if it is not done before the expiry date, otherwise you can be in breach of your status and find yourself barred from entering the US if you leave, as well as rejection of your greencard application.
I also have other complications that I need to resolve before applying to renew my visa, hence I chose to extend my stay. Hope this clears up some common misconceptions. :)

[v2002]

traci....
I think One should use the right terms...and in this case the term applicable is not "renewal or extension of I-94" but 'Extension of Status' from USCIS or L1 extention.

yes you can extend your status of L visa with USCIS make sure you do that before your current status runs out.
Once your application to Extent status on L visa is received by USCIS keep the notice in safe place as thats the proof you need to be in good standing just in case it takes long to process your files.

If you have short time for current status getting expired make sure you file UNDER PREMIUM PROCESSING ... as long as your applicatgion is received before your current status expires YOU ARE good.
Once you get your approval .. you can get the VISA stamp from your home country on your next visit.
Good luck.