Getting job before entry date

[lemlem 18]

Hi all,

 

I currently work for a large global company with an office in the US. I applied for a super exciting position and have spoken to hiring manager and HR already. I'm in a position now where the HR team wants to make sure that everything is fine regarding the Visa. I sent them a scan of my I-551 Stamp and my A-number, but they seem to still be looking into it and can't move on. 

 

Is there a way I can reassure them that they can hire me, or do I have to fly in to "activate" my status. Has anyone had any experiences with this?

 

I'm flying in on the 30th of August and the IV category would be IR1. 

[Dashinka 24,667]

If you have not officially entered on your immigrant visa yet, then you are not officially an LPR yet.  If they are searching for your official status, they most likely will not find anything.  Let them know your plans, and when you will officially be a GC holder.

 

Good Luck!

[Mike E 11,742]

31 minutes ago, lemlem said:

 I sent them a scan of my I-551 Stamp and my A-number, but they seem to still be looking into it and can't move on. 

If you have not entered the U.S. yet, you do not have an I-551 stamp. You have an unused visa. This is likely why they are not extending an offer. That visa is still worthless for getting a job. Its worth happens when you travel to the U.S. and you are admitted for entry on that visa.

 

31 minutes ago, lemlem said:

Is there a way I can reassure them that they can hire me, or do I have to fly in to "activate" my status

You need to provide I-9 documents. Your foreign passport plus the endorsed visa will be a List A I-9 document. So definitely fly into the U.S., and while there fill out an I-9

( https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9-paper-version.pdf )

and bring it, your passport, and you to the employer’s office. Show them in the I-9 instructions how your passport and endorsed visa is a valid List A document:

 

LIST A

Documents that Establish

Both Identity and

Employment Authorization

 

[..]
 

Foreign passport that contains a temporary 1-551 stamp or temporary 1-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/120-acceptable-documents-for-verifying-employment-authorization-and-identity/121-list-a-documents-that-establish-identity-and-employment-authorization shows a partial example of a endorsed visa acting as an I-551. Partial because it does not show a stamp. 
 

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf has a proper example

 

 

 

 

Edited July 28, 2023 by Mike E

[lemlem 18]

11 minutes ago, Mike E said:

If you have not entered the U.S. yet, you do not have an I-551 stamp. You have an unused visa. This is likely why they are not extending an offer. That visa is still worthless for getting a job. Its worth happens when you travel to the U.S. and you are admitted for entry on that visa.

 

You need to provide I-9 documents. Your foreign passport plus the endorsed visa will be a List A I-9 document. So definitely fly into the U.S., and while there fill out an I-9

( https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9-paper-version.pdf )

and bring it, your passport, and you to the employer’s office. Show them in the I-9 instructions how your passport and endorsed visa is a valid List A document:

 

LIST A

Documents that Establish

Both Identity and

Employment Authorization

 

[..]
 

Foreign passport that contains a temporary 1-551 stamp or temporary 1-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/120-acceptable-documents-for-verifying-employment-authorization-and-identity/121-list-a-documents-that-establish-identity-and-employment-authorization shows a partial example of a endorsed visa acting as an I-551. Partial because it does not show a stamp. 
 

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf has a proper example

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Mike, this is great! Thank you so much.

 

I'll wait a few more days for a response, and then I might just suggest to them that I can fly to the US earlier than planned.

[Boiler 45,807]

1 hour ago, lemlem said:

 

Hi Mike, this is great! Thank you so much.

 

I'll wait a few more days for a response, and then I might just suggest to them that I can fly to the US earlier than planned.

Large Global Companies move people all the time, I have never heard of anyone having such an issue or need.

[lemlem 18]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Large Global Companies move people all the time, I have never heard of anyone having such an issue or need.

Yeah that’s what I assumed too. I think it’s because they are used to work visas, and have their own lawyers dealing with things from A-Z? I’m not sure, I’m confused as well haha. 

[Boiler 45,807]

12 minutes ago, lemlem said:

Yeah that’s what I assumed too. I think it’s because they are used to work visas, and have their own lawyers dealing with things from A-Z? I’m not sure, I’m confused as well haha. 

Their own lawyers will know what the deal is.

[Dashinka 24,667]

5 hours ago, Boiler said:

Large Global Companies move people all the time, I have never heard of anyone having such an issue or need.

Heck, the company should be happy that they are getting an employee coming over on their own immigrant visa, saves them a lot of money.

[Mike E 11,742]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

are getting an employee coming over on their own immigrant visa, saves them a lot of money.

Except that they have to pay market rate now. 😂

[SalishSea 18,003]

10 hours ago, lemlem said:

Hi all,

 

I currently work for a large global company with an office in the US. I applied for a super exciting position and have spoken to hiring manager and HR already. I'm in a position now where the HR team wants to make sure that everything is fine regarding the Visa. I sent them a scan of my I-551 Stamp and my A-number, but they seem to still be looking into it and can't move on. 

 

Is there a way I can reassure them that they can hire me, or do I have to fly in to "activate" my status. Has anyone had any experiences with this?

 

I'm flying in on the 30th of August and the IV category would be IR1. 

How do you have an I-551 stamp!

[lemlem 18]

10 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

How do you have an I-551 stamp!

I’m just referring to the visa they put in your passport. I called it by a wrong name. 

[SalishSea 18,003]

24 minutes ago, lemlem said:

I’m just referring to the visa they put in your passport. I called it by a wrong name. 

I see.   Yes, the visa itself confers no work authorization.

[MarmiteC 68]

On 7/28/2023 at 10:22 PM, lemlem said:

I’m just referring to the visa they put in your passport. I called it by a wrong name. 

 

I am transferring with a large global company also.  What I have from them is a letter of intent.  I will not get a contract until they can verify my right to work which is after I have entered the US.