How does the six-year limit for H-1B or the five-year/seven year limit for L-1 work?
Thanks to Caroline for suggesting this question! This limit counts time that you spent inside the US in any H or L status, as well as a few others. That is, if you switch from L-1 to H-1B, the time you spent on L-1 will still be counted. After a recent USCIS policy change, it no longer counts time that you spent outside the US while still maintaining ties to your employer (for instance, vacations or business trips). Note that if you are married to an H-1B or L-1, any time you spent in H-4 or L-2 status also counts towards the limit! The clock simply means that (in most cases), USCIS cannot approve a petition that would allow you to be for more than six years in any of the affected categories.
