Questions about L1 visa

[asakin]

I am planning to relocate to the US to help establish the US branch of a company, and I have a few questions.
The visa will probably be L1-B and I am not supposed to manage employees there.
I will work with customers and I was responsible for the development of most of our product since the foundation of the Startup.

1) I understand that with Startups the L1-B visa is given for 1 year. What should happen in the company during the first year in order to be able to renew the L1 visa for additional time?
2) In a case where my company gets acquired by a bigger company, will they be able to continue my L1 status?
3) My wife would like to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship while we are there. Can she do that on her L2 ?
4) Can my wife apply for a J1 visa while I apply for L1?
5) In a case where I can't extend my L1 visa for any reason, Is there an option for both of us to apply for J1-J2 visas? How long is that process to convert from L to J? should we leave the US for that? (I know I may be required to wait 90 days to get an employment approval, but will I be in risk of being out of Status?

Thanks a lot, any answers will help me with my desicions.

Thanks!
Rel

[raghvi]

I am planning to relocate to the US to help establish the US branch of a company, and I have a few questions.
The visa will probably be L1-B and I am not supposed to manage employees there.
I will work with customers and I was responsible for the development of most of our product since the foundation of the Startup.

1) I understand that with Startups the L1-B visa is given for 1 year. What should happen in the company during the first year in order to be able to renew the L1 visa for additional time?
2) In a case where my company gets acquired by a bigger company, will they be able to continue my L1 status?
3) My wife would like to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship while we are there. Can she do that on her L2 ?
4) Can my wife apply for a J1 visa while I apply for L1?
5) In a case where I can't extend my L1 visa for any reason, Is there an option for both of us to apply for J1-J2 visas? How long is that process to convert from L to J? should we leave the US for that? (I know I may be required to wait 90 days to get an employment approval, but will I be in risk of being out of status?)
6) Can I apply for a GC without my company filing it for me when holding L1-L2 visas?

Thanks a lot, any answers will help me with my desicions.

Thanks!
Rel

You are seeking guidance on a complex mix of visas and GC processing. I would suggest you do it one step at a time and first try to get L1 for self and J1 for your spouse and worry about GC later on upon admission to US and seek guidance from an experienced attorney thereof.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[asakin]

You are seeking guidance on a complex mix of visas and GC processing. I would suggest you do it one step at a time and first try to get L1 for self and J1 for your spouse and worry about GC later on upon admission to US and seek guidance from an experienced attorney thereof.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

Thanks a lot!
Putting aside the GC issue (I don't even know if I want to pursue that option) is it possible to get L1 for me and J1 for my wife? Will it be possible to convert my L1 to J2 in the future if anything happens with the company?

Thanks!
Ariel

[raghvi]

Thanks a lot!
Putting aside the GC issue (I don't even know if I want to pursue that option) is it possible to get L1 for me and J1 for my wife? Will it be possible to convert my L1 to J2 in the future if anything happens with the company?

Thanks!
Ariel

If you fulfill the requirements of a L1 and your spouse fulfills requirements of a J1 yes it is possible.

This is my opinion not legal advice.