L1 Individual visa.. Currently hold B1 visa

[GSG]

Guys,

I need some suggestion about applying for L1 individual Visa. I want to confirm if i am eligible for an L1 individual visa and chances of getting it approved.

Below is my profile:

Total Experience: 2.5 years
Experience in current organization: 2.5 years
US Visa: B1 visa valid till 2023.
US visits: 15 days visit in October 2013. See my visit experience http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showth...790&posted=1#1
Company profile: Eligible for a L1 blanket visa.

I have following queries:
1. My eligibility for an L1 individual visa and chances of getting it approved.
2. Any preparation procedure/points ?
3. Exact description of my L1 visa would be L1B individual, right ?
4. If applying through L1 blanket is a better option compared to this ? I have seen a similar profile person in my company being rejected of L1 blanket Visa.


Please help me in this regard.
Thanks.

[GSG]

Any suggestions please?

[raghvi]

1. You are eligible to apply if you worked for the organization for 1 Year in last 3 Years, as for chances no one can predict.
2. Read the experience section and prepare strong documentation with respect to your specialized skills as you seem to be having very little experience.
3. Yes.
4. L1 Blanket will have higher scrutiny at the consulate hence higher chances of rejection. L1 individual the petition will be first scrutinized by USCIS, so if approved the consulate officer may approve too.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[GSG]

Subsequent queries

Thanks Raghvi for taking timeout for my queries. Appreciate your help. I have few more queries, please see below.


My company is considering to apply for my L1B individual visa by January first week. For the same project, 2 week introduction meetings have been finalized for mid of January.
Since L1B individual will take approx 1.5-2 months, they want me to travel on my existing B1 visa for that part of the project.

I have following queries for that.

1. Should the application for L1B individual be filed during or before or after my stay in the USA on B1 visa ?
2. Is there any relaxation period given in case the application is filed during the stay ?
3. Considering my 1st visit http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showth...15790&posted=1, is it okay to travel on B1 ?
4. Does it make any difference to L1B individual visa if you already have a B1 visa ?
5. Any suggestions on the overall situation ?

Thanks and regards,
GSG

[raghvi]

Thanks Raghvi for taking timeout for my queries. Appreciate your help. I have few more queries, please see below.


My company is considering to apply for my L1B individual visa by January first week. For the same project, 2 week introduction meetings have been finalized for mid of January.
Since L1B individual will take approx 1.5-2 months, they want me to travel on my existing B1 visa for that part of the project.

I have following queries for that.

1. Should the application for L1B individual be filed during or before or after my stay in the USA on B1 visa ?
2. Is there any relaxation period given in case the application is filed during the stay ?
3. Considering my 1st visit http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showth...15790&posted=1, is it okay to travel on B1 ?
4. Does it make any difference to L1B individual visa if you already have a B1 visa ?
5. Any suggestions on the overall situation ?

Thanks and regards,
GSG

1. It doesnt matter but I would recommend filing it after your return on B1.
2. Relaxation for? I didnt understand your question.
3. It might be fine but expect to be grilled about the frequent trip, you can tell thats its for different client, also carry the latest client meeting itinerary. Also, a NO EOS/AOS/COS may be mentioned again.
4. No it does not.
5. 1.5-2 Months for L1 individual may not be practical expectation if filed as normal processing. If you file as premium getting it in that time frame may be possible.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[GSG]

Thanks a lot Raghvi!
Appreciate your guidance.

One last question i have is this.

Which L1 visa type would have a better chances of approval ? L1B individual or L1B Blanket ?
You said having a B1 does not make any difference to L1B individual approval, does the same apply for L1B blanket too ?

Thanks.

[GSG]

1. You are eligible to apply if you worked for the organization for 1 Year in last 3 Years, as for chances no one can predict.

Does this mean that a 3 years of experience is a minimum for L1 ? :O
I have total of 2.5 years experience only.

[raghvi]

Does this mean that a 3 years of experience is a minimum for L1 ? :O
I have total of 2.5 years experience only.

No it means that only the last 3 Years work place location is looked at for L1 eligibility. So if you worked for an organization more than 3 Years back you are not eligible. Example, you work for A from 2000-2005 and then join B and work for B from 2006-2013. In 2014 if you join A again, you wouldn't be eligible for A's L1, as you haven't worked for A for at least 1 year in last 3 Years.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[GSG]

Awesome!

Thanks for all the help. You are amazing!