H1 Considerations

[Wrangler]

Hello All,

I'm on L1-A (individual) visa for a year in US. I'm planning to change my status to H1. Can someone advise on the status change process.

1. Can I stay in the US of should I leave the country and come back?
2. Once my H1 petition is approved, my L1 A visa becomes invalid or still
I can work as L1 A employee until I decide to join the H1 employer?
3. Will the dependant's L2 and EAD also becomes invalid?
4. When can I file the H1 petition? Is the quota for 2005 (including the new
20,000) over. When can one file for the 2006 quota?
5. Any other considerations while changing from L1 to H1?


Thanks,
SP

 

[great guru]

Hello All,

I'm on L1-A (individual) visa for a year in US. I'm planning to change my status to H1. Can someone advise on the status change process.

1. Can I stay in the US of should I leave the country and come back?
2. Once my H1 petition is approved, my L1 A visa becomes invalid or still
I can work as L1 A employee until I decide to join the H1 employer?
3. Will the dependant's L2 and EAD also becomes invalid?
4. When can I file the H1 petition? Is the quota for 2005 (including the new
20,000) over. When can one file for the 2006 quota?
5. Any other considerations while changing from L1 to H1?

You can stay and start working on H1 (on approval date mentioned in H1) if you get I 94 at the bottom of your H1 approval notice. If you do not get I 94 at the bottom, you have to go out of US and get your visa stamped.

Once H1 (COS) is approved with I 94 at the bottom your L1 status is gone. If no I 94 at the bottom you can continue to work with your L1. ( applicable to L2 too. L2 has to apply along with you H4).

You can start applying for Yr 2006 now but you are allowed to work only from Oct 1, 2005 unless you qualify 20,000 quota. (US - MS Degree)
Thanks,
SP