Being sponsored by an employer while having CR-1 in progress

[MRJ9987 31]

I was in Germany last week for a conference and employees of the US branch were there.  I am hoping to transfer to the US company when I get my green card so I asked a lot of questions about their office.  Obviously, they picked up on the hint that I am interested and told me that if I am interested in working there I should just apply.  I explained to them that I am waiting on marriage based green card but added that it could take a while.  I then asked if the company would be willing to sponsor for work based green card and was told that I should start inquiry with the hiring manager of the department that I would be working for (I work in the department in Canadian operations that has a the same function).  

 

My profession is not covered by Nafta agreement (or USMCA) but I am university educated and what I do is pretty rare and not that easy to replace without extensive training.  I am not in a managerial role.  

 

The thing is, since my marriage based green card might take anywhere from year to two years (we filed May 2022), there is a good chance I may stay in my job for a very long time so I haven't shared the fact that I am looking to emigrate with many people in my current company.  I am afraid that if my intention is reveled, I may get passed on for promotion and opportunities (opportunities such as being sent to Germany for a conference where I can network with US colleagues).  Two years is a long time.  I was planning on sharing that information when I got closer to the move date.  

 

Before I start asking questions about getting the US office to sponsor me for work based Visa, I wanted to ask you guys what would my immigration process be and what timeline would I be looking at? There is no job opening right now and I don't know whether they would be willing to create one just for me (they're looking to expand and grow) until I speak to the hiring manager.   

 

I appreciate your insights and advice.  

[arken 4,197]

A typical Employment based GC petition will take around 1.5 to 2 years. Even more if PD isn't current.

 

Trying for work visa (H1B) will allow you to come to the US in Oct of 2023 to start work, that too if you get selected in the lottery and then approved.

 

Not sure what position you are at, L1 visa would allow a US employer to transfer some specific employees from foerign branch to US branch for work.

 

 

 

 

[MRJ9987 31]

15 minutes ago, arken said:

A typical Employment based GC petition will take around 1.5 to 2 years. Even more if PD isn't current.

 

Trying for work visa (H1B) will allow you to come to the US in Oct of 2023 to start work, that too if you get selected in the lottery and then approved.

 

Not sure what position you are at, L1 visa would allow a US employer to transfer some specific employees from foerign branch to US branch for work.

 

 

 

 

I work as a Construction Underwriter (I insure structures while they're getting built).  Not sure if that would qualify for L1.  

 

That sounds like as long of a time as my CR-1.  

[Boiler 46,176]

L1 is the quickest option, if the Company is willing.

 

As you know US practice in the Insurance industry is different to that of Germany and Canada.

[MRJ9987 31]

9 minutes ago, Boiler said:

L1 is the quickest option, if the Company is willing.

 

As you know US practice in the Insurance industry is different to that of Germany and Canada.

Do you have any insight on the timeline?  

[Boiler 46,176]

Few months, depends how focussed the Company is.

[pushbrk 13,133]

Employers sponsoring work visas, use attorneys that know what to do.  Start with HR.  They may or many not be willing to go the work visa route.  Depends on how badly and quickly THEY want YOU, among other things.