Stuck abroad with L1 visas

[Maubicio 1]

Hi there, 

 

My husband and I have acquired our L1 visas in February but got stuck in the UK just as we were about to move to the US. Unfortunately we had already given up our house and shipped all our belongings so we’re currently parked in a airbnb in London just waiting to travel.

 

Is anyone in a similar situation of being stuck abroad wanting to return on a work visa? If so would you be able share your experience or any expectations or legal insights?

[expatorimmigrant 1]

I'm on L1 and I actually am traveling outside US right now to visit family in NZ, the way things are it looks like there will be some sort of entry restrictions on work visas in the next month or so.  I'm going to try and fly back in three weeks time.  As far as entering on L1 I don't think there's any issue as long as you have supporting docs.  My lawyer did advise me to carry copies of paystubs for the past 3 months just in case they ask. 

 

Has UK banned all outbound flights?  If you guys can find an option in the next few weeks you should take it or look for ways to fly into another country then to US.  No one can be too sure these days with these immigration policy changes.  Good luck!

[Maubicio 1]

It does seem that if we really want to get there soon our only immediate option is to fly from the UK to another country, and then from there to the US since we can’t go directly there at the moment. Good luck getting back, and thanks for the tips!

[SarEng 1]

Hello, we are in the same situation. My family and I are stuck in Denmark, we have the L1 visas and were due to leave for NJ at the end of March, we are now waiting for the borders to reopen. We are considering flying to another country for 2 weeks and then on to America (Ireland is an option/ borders should open from there soon I gather?). We are about to sign the contract for rental of our house- which we set for 1st August and luckily have not shipped furniture etc yet and our school took the kids back- as we had taken them out for the end of March. I like the idea of going to Bahamas for two weeks and then on to America, but would take any location, as long as it is family friendly and can give entry to USA, I am following Ela's journey through Mexico with interest.

If I get any good ideas, I am happy to post them here... please update with yours as well.

[Maubicio 1]

Fantastic, please keep us posted with your developments. We are currently still in London and weighing the option of going to Mexico for 2 weeks and then on to the US. We haven’t planned anything yet though. You mentioned Ela’s journey - is there a link we could look at that too?
 

Thank you and good luck!

[SarEng 1]

Hi Maubicio,

There is a Spanish woman called Ela S. who is leaving Mexico today after a two week quarantine, flying to America, let's see if she gets across the border. I can also see that there may be a delay in the opening of the hotels in the tourist areas in Mexico in June, so don't know if that will be a god option for us (we have two children). You can follow Ela's journey in the forum posts in Has Anyone Left Europe's Schengen Area for 14 Days to Then Enter USA? 

[SarEng 1]

Hi, short update- Ela S got into America yesterday after a two week quarantine in Mexico.

[Maubicio 1]

Awesome! That's great news I found the post as well. I think we will discuss with my company today to see if that's an option for us. Potentially going London -> Amsterdam -> Mexico City, and then stay for 14 days before flying to LAX.

 

Btw in regards to accommodation we found that you can get an airbnb for an affordable price if that's something that might interest you and your family instead of hotels.

Edited May 21, 2020 by Maubicio