I-94 for L1 B Visa ???

Approved L1B visa today and departed to USA with an I-94. My dependents will join me shortly (since I applied only by myself). I was told by the NAFTA officer to surrender I-94 very time departing US if the trips were longer than 30 days. In the next three months I plan to move back and forth (US- Canada) until I sell the house etc. Would this create a problem for me and my dependents ? Do I have to reapply for I-94? My VISA stamped in the passport is valid until 2012.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

seranto

I guess only if you plan to be back in Canada for more than 30 days as you were told, but for shorter visits, I'd say no, L1B is multiple entry so you don't need to surrender it.

I do believe however that your dependents will need a photocopy of it, as well as your passport stamp, in order to get their derivative visas at POE, unless you will be accompanying them.

Do not surrender your I-94 if your stays in Canada are going to be less than 30 days. The Department of Homeland Security will send an I-797B form (mine took about 6 to 8 weeks) so that, if you are in a situation where you have to surrender your I-94 (for example, flying to Europe), you can fill out the I-94 upon re-entry in the U.S. and the border official will stamp it and place it in your passport.

Best of luck!

To be honest it doesn't really matter if you surrender the I-94, they will issue you a new one easily enough. It just saves time if you can hold onto it.

Multiple entry I-94s are multiple entry wherever you go.

The I-797 is the important bit. Canadian citizens do not actually require visas, they are optional.