有关H-1B和L-1的六年期限

我们都知道H-1B和L-1签证一般情况下共只有六年的使用时间，而这六年的时间应指为“lawfully admitted and physically present” 在美国境内。根据Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) 的指示，若H-1B或L-1人士在其有效身份期间有期间离开美国的，那么这部份时间并不算在六年时间内，即是这些H-1B或L-1的人士可提出身份延期申请，重新补用这部份时间。 需注意的是在以上情况下提出延期申请，申请人必须提供有效文件证明他们不在美国的时间。这些证明文件不仅是有效护照以及I-94出入境记录，而且申请人需提供一份statement 或chart of dates列出其不在美国的时间。并且，所有证明文件应是清晰可辨的。 我们建议有关人士应咨询移民律师看其情况是否符合要求提出H-1B或L-1的延期申请。 As any H-1B or L-1 beneficiary well knows, H-1B and L-1 visas are time-limited to six years. The six-year period of authorized admission of an H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant accrues only while the beneficiary is “lawfully admitted and physically present” in the United States . According to a decision by the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) that is binding on all USCIS personnel, that means that time spent out of the country by an H-1B or L-1 beneficiary can be recaptured and applied to the end of the beneficiary’s six-year term. This is true regardless of whether the beneficiary is out of the country for business or pleasure purposes. While time spent out of the country is not automatically credited to the end of the beneficiary’s six-year time frame, beneficiaries have the option of filing for an extension in order to recapture that time. In order to prove that they were out of the country, beneficiaries must produce supporting documentary evidence. This evidence includes not only copies of passport stamps or Form I-94 arrival-departure records, but also an accompanying statement or chart of dates that the beneficiary spent out of the country. The supporting evidence must be clear and corroborating proof of departures and reentries into the United States. If you think that you are eligible to recapture time that you have spent out of the country while on an H-1B or L-1 visa, be sure to discuss it your immigration attorney when it comes time for an extension or renewal. ______________________________________________________________________________ 本文由范毅禹律师事务所提供 本律师事务所精办各类劳工应聘及专业移民申请 (包括H-1，L-1，EB-1，EB-2，NIW，劳工卡，绿卡等申请)。所有申请由多位美籍律师及拥有15年经验的范毅禹律师亲自处理，我所并特设中英移民网站。内有最新移民新闻资讯及由律师主持的移民问答集，欢迎读者流览查询。 www.Fan-Law.com CALIFORNIA : Fan, Fitzpatrick & Thompson, LLP. 370 E. Glenarm St., Pasadena , CA 91106 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] MARYLAND : Fan, Fitzpatrick & Thompson, LLP. 230 North Washington Street, Suite 400 , Rockville , MD 20850 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]