In the US on an L1 and getting married soon: COS?

[TheMarco 0]

Hi all,

I figured I'd ask here because I can't find any clear information by using search engines. Here's the thing:

I'm here in the USA on an L1 visa working for my L1 sponsoring employer. I'm engaged and we're going to get married next week.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me how the change of status stuff works.

I'd love to change my status to be able to work for another employer in case the need arises (like getting laid off for example, you never know these days) and stay here in the US with my fiancee.

Can anyone tell me how this works? And let's say I lose my L1 status at some point due to a layoff, will I be able to stay here and work in the US after my marriage?

Any advice would be great!

Marco

[payxibka 10,047]

Can anyone tell me how this works? And let's say I lose my L1 status at some point due to a layoff, will I be able to stay here and work in the US after my marriage?

No, not after just your marriage... but only if you have an I-485 submitted and pending

[bantam 0]

As far as work goes after you were married you'd need to file the I-485 and attach an I-765 under the ©(9) eligibility category to get work authorization. You wouldn't be able to work until they approved your petition. They aim for 90 days for approval of the I-765.

[TheMarco 0]

Which category would I be in for the I485? My guess would be:

An immigrant petition giving me an immediately available immigrant visa number that has

been approved. (Attach a copy of the approval notice, or a relative, special immigrant juvenile,

or special immigrant military visa petition filed with this application that will give you an

immediately available visa number, if approved.)

Since I already have a visa.

Am I correct here?

[bantam 0]

Yeah, don't forget to file an I-130 with it from your spouse!

[Anh map 2,098]

L1 is a non immigrant visa. You are adjusting status based on marrying a USC. As stated before this is filed along with an I-130. See the VJ Guide -->> http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...page=i130guide2

[Bobby+Umit 161]

And when you AOS, and if you use the EAD - you lose your L-1 status.

So if the AOS is denied, you will have no status.

As Payxibka points out - your status is "pending" when you get the NOA of the AOS is received.

BTW - for the L-1 - don't you have to stay working for the company that sponsored you? You can't change to a different company?

[Shelly&Jay 0]

When does your L1 expire? My husband is on an O1 visa which also ties him to the company that sponsors him.

According to the immigration lawyers from his company, he can work under the O1 until July 24 when it expires. Since we have filed the AOS he will not have to leave the country if the green card isn't here yet. If the EAD is not approved by July 24, then he can no longer work.

Good luck,

Shelly

[TheMarco 0]

Ok you guys got me a bit confused. Are you saying I shouldn't do anything and just keep working on the L1 until it's (almost) expired?

I have quite a while to go on it (well over a year).

I'd like to get rid of the being tied to a single employer...