L-1 Visa Process

[deepakvyas]

Hi All,

Just had a few queries on L-1.

I run a IT training Center in Bangalore, India since 1.5 years now and I also train candidates on hi-end IT courses.

I wish to replicate the same setup in the US and start a similar setup in the US.

I am travelling to the US shortly on a B1/B2 Visa.
The first question is:-

1. Can I initiate the process of applying for a L-1 Visa after I land in the US?

2. How long does the process take?

3. Are there any restrictions on this category... is a tie-up with any other Company in the United States.. a pre-requisite, or can it be done afresh?

4. What documentation do I need to carry to the US for the same?

5. What do Attorney's normally charge for the same.

I'd really appreciate if there is anyone out therewith a good knowledge of L-1 who can help me out on the same.

Thanks in advance.

Deepak Vyas

 

[gcwaiting007]

L1 is INTRA-COMPANY

Hi,

L1 visa is intra-company, ie. permit to work in a branch in US from a branch outside US of the same company. So that is ruled out in your case, as your company does not have a branch here.

Even if you tie-up with another such training company(say for example X), unless the company X owns your company, I dont think X can sponsor an L-1 for you. Just a partial tie-up is not sufficient, to the best of my knowledge.

So then what are the options your have?

1. You can ask Company X to get you on a H-1 by sub-contracting some training work to your company in India. For software development this might be a good idea, but I am not sure for training(that too in this economy).

2. If this is a CBT (Computer Based) type of training, then you can probably find an agent who will serve as a US office for contacts and collecting fees for you in US dollars and you can provide your training online.

Actually, these are times when most of the development work is going offshore from US to countries like India, Russia, Czech etc. So, unless the training you give is of a very specialized nature suitable for the business owners here, is this idea of setting up a training shop in US even viable?

I am sorry, just thinking aloud, I am sure you would have done a lot of research on this. The reason I popped it out is that most of the people from India that I know are mulling the possibility of setting up shops offshore.