Approval on L1A (K1 was beaten to it!)

[westguard 0]

Hi everyone

I guess I shouldn't strictly speaking write this here, but I just got approval on my L1A which I ended up filing in desperation because the K1 was not going to go through in time for our wedding.

The L1A was filed, quite genuinely, because I am expanding my business into the USA and it was approved in 10 days. I appreciate I am very lucky to be in a position to do this and I understand the frustrating in waiting for the K1, believe me!

We applied for our K1 back in March/April and still had not had an approval. Our attorney recommended I do the L1A because I was to run a business in the USA anyway, and it turned out to be the better option for us in the end. It wasn't cheap, but for a 10 day approval you can't argue given the stress the K1 has caused us (all!).

I just wanted to share the good news and wanted to wish everyone else the very best of luck with their K1 journey.

Take care!

[aj1 1]

Hi everyone

I guess I shouldn't strictly speaking write this here, but I just got approval on my L1A which I ended up filing in desperation because the K1 was not going to go through in time for our wedding.

The L1A was filed, quite genuinely, because I am expanding my business into the USA and it was approved in 10 days. I appreciate I am very lucky to be in a position to do this and I understand the frustrating in waiting for the K1, believe me!

We applied for our K1 back in March/April and still had not had an approval. Our attorney recommended I do the L1A because I was to run a business in the USA anyway, and it turned out to be the better option for us in the end. It wasn't cheap, but for a 10 day approval you can't argue given the stress the K1 has caused us (all!).

I just wanted to share the good news and wanted to wish everyone else the very best of luck with their K1 journey.

Take care!

Congratulations!!!!!!

[Vagina Journey 0]

Congratulations

[RosaMystica7 0]

Congrats! I'm not familiar with other visas - does the L1A visa allow you to marry?

[westguard 0]

Congrats! I'm not familiar with other visas - does the L1A visa allow you to marry?

Let me make this as clear as I can!

The L1A is designed, in my case, to allow me to open up a new office for my business in the USA (which I have, plus bank accounts, tax ID, new LLC company etc) and work in the USA. Believe me, I wouldn't have invested in office space and a new company were this not the case! Nightmare! I have even had to source staff.

My purpose for the Visa is to expand my operations into the USA, not to marry.

Now, on the side, it just so happens that my fiancee lives in the USA and we are getting married in November! The L1A Visa carrys no 'intent' issues with travelling to the USA with the intention of getting married, I guess because I have already demonstrated to the USCIS that I have commitment to get a company running there. and that it is for my business purposes that I need the L1A, which I do.

The L1A application process is complicated and required significant evidence to support my application, I had to show proof of my UK operations and proof that we had set up office space etc in the USA. We were as thorough as possible and employed an attorney to ensure the USCIS had everything they need.

The other advantage of the L1A is that after we marry, we can go anywhere on our honeymoon without the need for advance parole. I can also apply for AOS as usual.

I am just rather fortunate that I had intended to expand into the USA before having met my fiancee. We initially went for the K1 route because of the lower costs and because of the 3 year naturalization advantage, and I was at first prepared to hold fire on my expansion into the USA because of this. But in the end the L1A turned out to be the best route for us, and my business.

The disadvantage is I now have to wait 5 years to naturalize, but I am quite prepared to wait 5 years for that.

Hope this helps!

[meauxna 15]

The disadvantage is I now have to wait 5 years to naturalize, but I am quite prepared to wait 5 years for that.

Congrats!

You might want to check out the 5 year thing with your lawyer since it sounds like natz is in your plan.

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/Special.htm

Spouses of U.S. Citizens

Generally, certain lawful permanent residents married to a U.S. citizen may file for naturalization after residing continuously in the United States for three years if immediately preceding the filing of the application:

the applicant has been married to and living in a valid marital union with the same U.S. citizen spouse for all three years;

the U.S. spouse has been a citizen for all three years and meets all physical presence and residence requirements; and

the applicant meets all other naturalization requirements.

Mind you, you must become a PR first so it won't be 3 years from moving to the US. Hopefully you will live in a speedy district for AOS

If your lawyer knows a reason the above waiver does not apply to your type of case, I'd be grateful if you pass it on to us--I don't want to have the wrong understanding of this rule.

thanks!