L1 visa criteria with prior H1B stay of 6 years limit

USA L1, L2 Visa
1

Hi folks,

I used to be on a H1B (3 + 3 years) in the US. I have returned to India. Since then about 8 years have since then passed. I want to apply for a L1 visa to US again. I read somewhere that the L1 max time limit also counts the previous H1B time limit.

Questions:

  1. In my case will it still hold true as I have been back in India over 8 years have passed.

  2. Can I change employer when on L1?

  3. Which kind of L1 is preferable? I see L1-A and L1-B? Are these by default multiple entry and my dependents on L2 go back and forth too?

Thanks.

2

  1. Your clock has been reset as you have stayed outside US for more than 1 year since your last visit to US. You can get 5 years of L-1 now

  2. No

  3. Both have different requirements. The former is for executives and manegerial positions while the latter is not. Both are multiple entry visa by default and allow L-2 dependents to work after getting the EAD.