Moving from an L1 to a H1B

[jokereke]

Hi,
I recently transfer over from the Uk on a L1 visa, I have been offered another job and will need to transfer to a H1B. My new employer has agreed to experdite the visa. How long does this normally take? My old employer go wind that I wanted to leave and has laid me off


Jennifer

 

[tt tt]

premium processing...

will take 15 days but will cost $1K more.
Also if you have already been laid off...you may want to look into getting a NEW H1 as opposed to a H1 Change of status. You will need to get out of the USA and get a H1 visa and then start working.

 

[jokereke]

what is the difference ? between a H1 change of status and a new H1

 

[jokereke]

more information

I have already excepted the job and they are processing my visa will it still make sense to leave and come back in?

 

[tt tt]

Info:

If you are legally employed on a L1 ( meaning you work for the same employer and you have pay-stubs and your current latest I-94 is yet un-expired with L1 status ), then you can ask the INS to "change your status to H1" in which case they will issue a approval with a I--94 attached to it with H1 status...so now you can start working.

If you were on L1 ( lost your job ) and if your H1 approval is not there..you cannot work !!

Now what you have to do is ask the INS for a NEW H1..which will have NO I-94 attached to it on the approval notice..you will have to take this..go to a consulate outside the country and get a H1 visa ..re-enter and then only start to work.