有關H-1B和L-1的六年期限

我們都知道H-1B和L-1簽證一般情況下共隻有六年的使用時間，而這六年的時間應指為“lawfully admitted and physically present” 在美國境內。根據Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) 的指示，若H-1B或L-1人士在其有效身份期間有期間離開美國的，那麽這部份時間並不算在六年時間內，即是這些H-1B或L-1的人士可提出身份延期申請，重新補用這部份時間。 需注意的是在以上情況下提出延期申請，申請人必須提供有效文件證明他們不在美國的時間。這些證明文件不僅是有效護照以及I-94出入境記錄，而且申請人需提供一份statement 或chart of dates列出其不在美國的時間。並且，所有證明文件應是清晰可辨的。 我們建議有關人士應谘詢移民律師看其情況是否符合要求提出H-1B或L-1的延期申請。 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. ______________________________________________________________________________ 本文由範毅禹律師事務所提供 本律師事務所精辦各類勞工應聘及專業移民申請 (包括H-1，L-1，EB-1，EB-2，NIW，勞工卡，綠卡等申請)。所有申請由多位美籍律師及擁有15年經驗的範毅禹律師親自處理，我所並特設中英移民網站。內有最新移民新聞資訊及由律師主持的移民問答集，歡迎讀者流覽查詢。 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]