Does B1 Trips affect L1 1 Year Eligibility Criteria?

Question

I am employed from April, 2007 and made couple of B1 Trips (around 4 months). Company has filed L1 blanket for me and planning to schedule Visa Interview in Aug. Does 4 months (made on B1) need to be excluded for L1 1 year eligibility? Need answer urgently!!!!!!

Answer 1

- No, it won't affect your L1.

- Normally you will get 3 years L1 visa and your stay on B1 would not be excluded from it.

All the best.

Answer 2

Immigration is usually VERY strict about satisfying all the minimum requirements, it specifically states that you must be employed and physically work outside the USA for at least one year...... if you had been over here for a couple of weeks I could see them letting it slide, but 4 months - that is a third of the requirement time.... Didn't your company hire a lawyer to do all this? They should know the answer.  If you started in Apr 07, then you have been emplyed by the company for just under 16 months, I guess it depends if they say you have to work for at least a year at the time off application or the time of approval...... check with your lawyer.