On December 5, 2006, USCIS issued a policy memo clarifying that any time spent in H-4 status, or L-2 status, will not count against the six- year maximum period of admission in H-1B status, or seven- year period of admission in L-1A status or five- year period of admission in L-1B status. Thus, individuals seeking an extension of stay in H-1B, or L-1A or L-1B status, should be sure to seek the full period available, without regard to any prior dependent stay. For the full text of the USCIS memo, click here