My lawyer require from me something L1B visa don’t require

[Dzev 0]

Hi all,

Sorry for the long message, I’m just in a very bad mood because of this and thought to ask here - hopefully someone know the answer

I’m considered by my company as a specialized software developer. I have been through a long process of internal hiring to the US. My company paid to an external lawyer to apply for me with L1B visa.
I have many certifications acquired over the years, however they haven’t been taken in university. It was self study and exam by pearson vue. 
I don’t posses a degree, simply because I invested in my career which is so far very successful without a degree. Not mocking the university system, it’s just my view and decision that I took

The layer said I must have a degree (in any subject!) or verified by previous manager with high recommendation from over 10 years of experience in the field. And then send it to evaluator
It’s quite hard to get it because I switched 4 job in the last 15 years.

from what I read, there is no requirement for a degree for L1B visa! Why they lawyer do this to me? is it a new requirement or else they just want to cover themselves for an easy application?

thanks in advance

Edited December 23, 2020 by Dzev

[Coco8 1,042]

Lawyers are not dumb. Big companies hire firms that do the paperwork for them and if they did not get it done, they would be out of work. This is not cheap.

 

To file for the visa you have to present A LOT of paper work. My former partner did an L1B and the stack of papers he had to take to the embassy was like 10 cm tall, I'm not kidding. 

 

Your lawyer has to prove "specialized knowledge". You also said that he asked you if you had a degree, he is not telling you he cannot apply because you do not have one. Those are two different things. And getting information and letters certifying your previous work experience is common for the process. 

 

Basically, do whatever the lawyer tells you to do and stop complaining. They charge hundreds of dollars per hour.  You are not entitled to anything. The US consulate is happy to reject any visa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2020 by Coco8

[Dzev 0]

I’m not complaining, I’m trying to understand if what the lawyer is asking is valid rather than to trust on them blindly 

 

I don’t have 1000 papers, I don’t really know how this is even possible because you need to provide 6-7 types of evidence.  

Can you please share what type of documentation he/she provided? Maybe I’m missing something and can learn from you

[Coco8 1,042]

You are always asked for information on previous jobs and letters from previous job. Why do you think that is weird?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

I don’t understand why it’s hard to get letters from previous employers confirming the type of employment you did? This is common in many situations, references, background checks etc, not just visa applications. The lawyer wants to document your skills meet the visa requirements, and in the absence of a degree this seems the only real route? You surely can’t expect the visa official analyzing your application to basically just take your word for the fact that you have the type of skills necessary for this?  The last rejection rate for L1B visas I saw published was around 35%, so not sure why you think it is such an easy application either? 

[Dzev 0]

Sorry my bad, I didn’t explain myself google enough.

I totally understand that I need to provide proof about my specialty, which I have 11.5 years verified by previous managers. The companies I worked would not put their brand name on this document so it’s the manager recommendation.

 

the question is more about the degree which I don’t have. I do have many certifications relevant to my role, but not a degree. The lawyer said that any degree would help, even in history- how degree in history will make me qualify to IT field? 
 

Do you think the degree is must to have or else the lawyer just wants as much as possible evidence?

 

My lawyer will send my work experience and my certifications to qualify for equivalence of a degree - but my concern is what if this isn’t enough?! Or if the evaluator will require company logo on the papers? As mentioned none of the companies will agree to put their name on such a recommendation (Google, Microsoft etc) 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

You’ve already said the lawyer said a degree would help, but is not mandatory, so not sure why you are asking tgat.

 

It sounds very suspicious that none of the companies you worked for will give you recommendations on their letterheads. Why not? How can they visa officer know they are genuine? 

[Dzev 0]

Company policy that they would not recommend an individual under their brand name. Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft and others. It’s quite industry standard and nothing suspicious about it. Why would a brand put their name on an individual?

All managers are happy to sign the letters though.

 

I have no idea how this process works and I’m very stressed. All I want is some guidance, ideas and better understanding from others, to make sure what I have been asked is normal. Otherwise how will I know? So I’m asking. not sure why the criticism.

 

thanks for everyone, sorry I bothered you. You can close or delete this thread to avoid some more assumptions blaming me like I’m criminal.

Edited December 29, 2020 by Dzev

[sauldelgado 8]

Just adding my $0.02 here.

 

I'm doing the EB3 route as a software engineer myself and even though I do have a university degree and 15 years of experience in the field I still needed to go back and gather letters from all my previous employers. Even then I got an RFE at the USCIS stage and needed to go back and get transcripts from my university. As stated above by others, the more evidence and supporting documents you can get it will improve your chances of approval.

 

Wish you good luck.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

1 hour ago, Dzev said:

Company policy that they would not recommend an individual under their brand name. Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft and others. It’s quite industry standard and nothing suspicious about it. Why would a brand put their name on an individual?

All managers are happy to sign the letters though.

 

I have no idea how this process works and I’m very stressed. All I want is some guidance, ideas and better understanding from others, to make sure what I have been asked is normal. Otherwise how will I know? So I’m asking. not sure why the criticism.

 

thanks for everyone, sorry I bothered you. You can close or delete this thread to avoid some more assumptions blaming me like I’m criminal.

thread locked per op request