Changing from student visa to work-sponsored visa??

[sanis 0]

Hi Folks. I searched in the guides/internet for something that might answer this question, but no luck. Straight to the point: I am about to start the student Visa process with a University, but a recent position in the U.S. has come open that I hope I will be accepted for. They would offer me a work visa, but I am hesitant on starting the student visa, because I don't want to somehow ruin my chances with the work visa!

Few questions:

1. How easy is it to cancel the student visa to immediately apply for the work-sponsored visa?

2. If I have to wait until the student visa is canceled, how long does that normally take?

3. Will it look "bad" to immigrations if i change vIsa applications like that in such a short time?

If there are any documentations you could point me to, that would be great! It was difficult to find info about such a specific scenario.

Thanks!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You won't apply for the work visa, your employer will. How long that will take depends on what visa classification they petition for.

Have you asked their HR department what visa they will petition for?

You can withdraw your student visa at any time, simply speak to the DSO at your school.

good luck

[kzielu 1,149]

In addition, there will likely be no short change. From what you wrote, we're not talking about L-1 so if you're going to be petitioned for H-1B, application process starts April 1st (if company isn't ready now, you're likely miss the boat by the way), visas are gone within few days and they're given out starting October 1st.

[sanis 0]

Hi guys,

thanks for your replies!! I forgot to specify that the position I am applying for is with the US branch of my company, which, as far as I know, has a Blanket L1-Visa (or would petition for an L1-B visa for me). So I should not be tied to the April 1st deadline of the H1B visa.

Unfortunately, my company will only be able to confirm my possible transfer in April / May, at which point I would have already moved on with my student visa application through my university.

Would it be very complicated, once and if I get the transfer confirmation by my company, to cancel my student visa and obtain an L1 visa instead? I am afraid that immigrations might refuse my work visa because I had already a student visa application going on.

Do you have any information on this?

Thanks a lot!

[kzielu 1,149]

If this is L-1B blanket, than it should be no problem at all - the I-129S petition is pre-approved (that's why it's called Blanket) - company (it's lawyer) needs to send you all the docs, you set up an appointment in the embassy and go get the visa.

My L-1B (blanket) literally took a week from receiving docs from my company.