Applying for an L-1 visa during the NVC stage of a CR-1 application

[Davian 0]

Hi all,

 

My husband (UK citizen) and I (US citizen) are in a weird situation. We've been applying for a CR-1 and have an NVC scan date of February 17, 2017 (hoping for a case complete ASAP). Within the last two weeks, my husband's employer offered him an intracompany transfer to one of the US sites and is keen to have him start there on June 1st. The employer is a multinational corporation with a blanket L-1 petition, so this process would be super quick (wish I knew about this option last year!). A USCIS rep told me today that we could continue with our CR-1 application while he's here on an L-1 as long as he flies back to London for the medical and consulate interview. Based on my research, the L-1 visa is a dual intent visa so you're not required to prove that you entered the US with no intent to immigrate if you're on it.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this? How long does it usually take from the medical+interview stage to get your passport back and travel to the US? Any other thoughts are welcome.

 

If we were earlier in the process, I'd immediately jump on this opportunity to have him here so soon and file for adjustment of status instead.

[milimelo 4,571]

I'd rather wait out the immigrant visa than L1. By your timeline interview should be coming up soon. 

You can try expediting cr-1 through London for a faster appointment. 

[Boiler 46,216]

I would go for the L and adjust.

[Hypnos 6,578]

You're good either way really. If the L-1 materialises first, he can enter and file for AoS. If the CR-1 appears first, he can enter and not need the L-1. As you say, L-1 is dual-intent.

[Davian 0]

Thanks for your responses! I really appreciate it.

 

We decided to continue with both right now and see if we can get the CR-1 before he comes here for work in June. His employer agreed to accommodate him if he has to go back to London for the interview, even though he'd have to wait for his passport to be mailed back to him before reentering the US.

 

I just want to get this process over with instead of doing an AOS. I'm going to request an interview expedite and see if we can get a May interview.