The U.S. Department of State is changing the rule regarding validity period for issuance of L visas. Currently, L visas are issued for the duration of the validity period of the petition, which cannot exceed three years. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services grants extensions in two-year increments, up to a maximum five year period of stay for foreign nationals employed in specialized knowledge positions and seven years for foreign nationals employed in a managerial or executive position.

Under the new regulation, the L visa validity period will no longer be tied to the petition validity period. Instead, the L visa will be issued for the validity period based on the visa reciprocity schedule.  

The change will benefit nationals of countries for which the reciprocity schedule prescribes visa validity for longer than the validity period on the original L petition.  Generally, those who have extended their L stay in the United States will no longer need to again apply for an L visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy when travelling outside the United States during the period indicated on the reciprocity schedule.

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