NYC - L1B based but want to proceed with GC

[ry88]

Hello all,
My current situation is that I am a Brit in NYC and sponsored through an L1B visa. I married in June 2018 and managed to move across with my employer in the same time frame, we also have a kid on the way. I am at the stage now where I want to proceed with green card processing and would like confirmation and thoughts on steps.

My motive is that family aside, the role that I am doing really does not measure up to what i thought it would be (much more junior than I was led to believe) and I would like to pursue opportunities outside this organization. Being in the US on an L1B, my understanding that any company moves would be near impossible. Therefore I'd like some help on clarifying what I already understand + additional questions:

Next steps (please correct me if I am wrong):
1. File for adjustment of status using forms I-485, I-765 & I-130
2. Application for EAD (I-765) to be able to start applying for other roles (without being tied to the L1B)


Questions:
1. Typically, do most people hire a lawyer to do these forms or is this quite simple to do yourself? What would the level of costs be if i hired legal help?
2. Understand that greencard can take a while to process. For the EAD however, what is the typical turnaround time?
3. Will there be any issues when it comes to having both an L1B visa and an EAD?
4. With the fee's in submitting forms, are these mandatory regardless of your current visa status? From what I understand, excluding legal help still looking at over $1500+ when it comes to submitting each form?
5. My UK passport is due to expire December 2020 - would this cause any potential issues when it comes to GC application?


It would be great to get your input and any potential things I've missed.
Thanks in advance.

[ry88]

Any advice?

[jpecht]

I'm currently in the process of applying for a greencard for my husband who is also L1B. Just filed in January, so I'm still at the early stages, so not an expert by any means, but:

As far as next steps:
1. Yes, along with related forms such as Form I-130A, Form I-864. One thing on your I-130, note that application for I-130 will be considered abandoned if you travel before it is granted, even though you can travel on your L1 visa while greencard application is pending.
2. Yup, file that as well.

Questions:

1. You can do either. If your case if fairly straightforward, you just have to fill out a lot of forms, read the instructions super carefully, and check forums like this for questions. Attorney prices range. but you can probably get it for a few 1K or less.
2. Right now - EADs are reporting to take 4-6 months, and it seems like it's taking a lot of people towards the end of that range. You can check by looking at forum for people who filed in October/November 2018 and see if they are getting EADs.
3. I looked into this very issue. You can have both EAD and L1-B at same time. I didn't look at this issue, but I would be worried that if you work under EAD for a different employer you would abandon L1 status though...
4. Correct, you must pay likely, unless you have some sort of exemption (I don't think you have to pay for asylum etc.)
5. Not for green card process.

Hello all,
My current situation is that I am a Brit in NYC and sponsored through an L1B visa. I married in June 2018 and managed to move across with my employer in the same time frame, we also have a kid on the way. I am at the stage now where I want to proceed with green card processing and would like confirmation and thoughts on steps.

My motive is that family aside, the role that I am doing really does not measure up to what i thought it would be (much more junior than I was led to believe) and I would like to pursue opportunities outside this organization. Being in the US on an L1B, my understanding that any company moves would be near impossible. Therefore I'd like some help on clarifying what I already understand + additional questions:

Next steps (please correct me if I am wrong):
1. File for adjustment of status using forms I-485, I-765 & I-130
2. Application for EAD (I-765) to be able to start applying for other roles (without being tied to the L1B)



Questions:
1. Typically, do most people hire a lawyer to do these forms or is this quite simple to do yourself? What would the level of costs be if i hired legal help?
2. Understand that greencard can take a while to process. For the EAD however, what is the typical turnaround time?
3. Will there be any issues when it comes to having both an L1B visa and an EAD?
4. With the fee's in submitting forms, are these mandatory regardless of your current visa status? From what I understand, excluding legal help still looking at over $1500+ when it comes to submitting each form?
5. My UK passport is due to expire December 2020 - would this cause any potential issues when it comes to GC application?


It would be great to get your input and any potential things I've missed.
Thanks in advance.