First time L1 application from Canada for Indian citizen: High Priority

[ashutosh123]

Hi folks,

I work for a renowned consulting firm in New Delhi and they want me to apply for L1 visa to work in the US office. Due to high rejection rate for L1 in India, the immigration consultant from my company wants me to apply from Canada.

In her words: Canada is a country that historically accepts TCNs (Third Country Nationals), and while we've never had a foreign national apply for their initial visa stamp there, we've had many individuals successfully apply for renewals and extensions at one of the Consulates in Canada. Given the challenges we're facing in India right now, and Canada's general willingness to adjudicate TCN visa applications, we feel comfortable supporting this process for you and think we have a good shot at success.

Do any of you have any information or views on this?

Thanks a lot,
Ashu

[Abhiconfused]

Hi folks,

I work for a renowned consulting firm in New Delhi and they want me to apply for L1 visa to work in the US office. Due to high rejection rate for L1 in India, the immigration consultant from my company wants me to apply from Canada.

In her words: Canada is a country that historically accepts TCNs (Third Country Nationals), and while we've never had a foreign national apply for their initial visa stamp there, we've had many individuals successfully apply for renewals and extensions at one of the Consulates in Canada. Given the challenges we're facing in India right now, and Canada's general willingness to adjudicate TCN visa applications, we feel comfortable supporting this process for you and think we have a good shot at success.

Do any of you have any information or views on this?

Thanks a lot,
Ashu

Hi Ashu,

Just thinking out loud...

What would you answer the VO in your interview if he asks this Q " Why have you applied from Canada and not India ?"

And don't be surprised if other vague Qs are also asked... I went for a L1A interview last month and was asked Qs related to L1B.. was later asked to submit research papers also(certainly not required in L1).

""This is my personal advice and NOT a legal opinion"

[ashutosh123]

Super confused

Thanks Abhi, I too am worrying over the same issue. Would it make sense if I tell the VO that I am in Canada for a few months for some meetings/training and am applying from Canada in the interest of time.

This is all what my immigration coordinator said in the email:

Hi Ashu-

I hope you had a nice weekend! I had a chance to connect with the KT group last week, and wanted to touch base on your U.S. visa process. As you may know, there is a challenging immigration climate in India right now, it has become increasingly difficult for many of our Indian nationals to obtain U.S. visas. That said, we've seen some success with individuals applying for their visa stamp outside of India, in a country that accepts TCNs (Third Country Nationals).

We understand from the team that you have an upcoming training in Vancouver at the end of April or early May. Canada is a country that historically accepts TCNs, and while we've never had a foreign national apply for their initial visa stamp there, we've had many individuals successfully apply for renewals and extensions at one of the Consulates in Canada. Given the challenges we're facing in India right now, and Canada's general willingness to adjudicate TCN visa applications, we feel comfortable supporting this process for you and think we have a good shot at success.

The other location we've had some success with in regards to first time L-1 applications for our Indian nationals is London, although there have only been a handful of individuals who have tried this strategy, so the sample size is still very small and an approval is certainly not a guarantee. However, to apply for your visa stamp in London, you should have a legitimate reason for being there (meetings, trainings, vacation, etc) and I understand this may not be the case.

In anticipation that we'll move forward with the Canada option, our team at <law firm> will send you visa appointment scheduling instructions for the Consulate in Vancouver. Before making an appointment, you will need to apply for and secure a Canadian visitor visa, you must have this to enter Canada and apply for a visa stamp.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the above strategy, I'm happy to set up a call to discuss.

Talk soon,
Ashley

[tapeshm]

Thanks Abhi, I too am worrying over the same issue. Would it make sense if I tell the VO that I am in Canada for a few months for some meetings/training and am applying from Canada in the interest of time.

This is all what my immigration coordinator said in the email:

Hi Ashu-

I hope you had a nice weekend! I had a chance to connect with the KT group last week, and wanted to touch base on your U.S. visa process. As you may know, there is a challenging immigration climate in India right now, it has become increasingly difficult for many of our Indian nationals to obtain U.S. visas. That said, we've seen some success with individuals applying for their visa stamp outside of India, in a country that accepts TCNs (Third Country Nationals).

We understand from the team that you have an upcoming training in Vancouver at the end of April or early May. Canada is a country that historically accepts TCNs, and while we've never had a foreign national apply for their initial visa stamp there, we've had many individuals successfully apply for renewals and extensions at one of the Consulates in Canada. Given the challenges we're facing in India right now, and Canada's general willingness to adjudicate TCN visa applications, we feel comfortable supporting this process for you and think we have a good shot at success.

The other location we've had some success with in regards to first time L-1 applications for our Indian nationals is London, although there have only been a handful of individuals who have tried this strategy, so the sample size is still very small and an approval is certainly not a guarantee. However, to apply for your visa stamp in London, you should have a legitimate reason for being there (meetings, trainings, vacation, etc) and I understand this may not be the case.

In anticipation that we'll move forward with the Canada option, our team at <law firm> will send you visa appointment scheduling instructions for the Consulate in Vancouver. Before making an appointment, you will need to apply for and secure a Canadian visitor visa, you must have this to enter Canada and apply for a visa stamp.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the above strategy, I'm happy to set up a call to discuss.

Talk soon,
Ashley

I am exactly in the same boat. Not able to understand the rationale behind such a suggestion from the immigration firm.
Did your visa go through? Any learnings, suggestions etc?
Thanks

[tapeshm]

Thanks Abhi, I too am worrying over the same issue. Would it make sense if I tell the VO that I am in Canada for a few months for some meetings/training and am applying from Canada in the interest of time.

This is all what my immigration coordinator said in the email:

Hi Ashu-

I hope you had a nice weekend! I had a chance to connect with the KT group last week, and wanted to touch base on your U.S. visa process. As you may know, there is a challenging immigration climate in India right now, it has become increasingly difficult for many of our Indian nationals to obtain U.S. visas. That said, we've seen some success with individuals applying for their visa stamp outside of India, in a country that accepts TCNs (Third Country Nationals).

We understand from the team that you have an upcoming training in Vancouver at the end of April or early May. Canada is a country that historically accepts TCNs, and while we've never had a foreign national apply for their initial visa stamp there, we've had many individuals successfully apply for renewals and extensions at one of the Consulates in Canada. Given the challenges we're facing in India right now, and Canada's general willingness to adjudicate TCN visa applications, we feel comfortable supporting this process for you and think we have a good shot at success.

The other location we've had some success with in regards to first time L-1 applications for our Indian nationals is London, although there have only been a handful of individuals who have tried this strategy, so the sample size is still very small and an approval is certainly not a guarantee. However, to apply for your visa stamp in London, you should have a legitimate reason for being there (meetings, trainings, vacation, etc) and I understand this may not be the case.

In anticipation that we'll move forward with the Canada option, our team at <law firm> will send you visa appointment scheduling instructions for the Consulate in Vancouver. Before making an appointment, you will need to apply for and secure a Canadian visitor visa, you must have this to enter Canada and apply for a visa stamp.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the above strategy, I'm happy to set up a call to discuss.

Talk soon,
Ashley

I am exactly in the same boat. Not able to understand the rationale behind such a suggestion from the immigration firm.
Did your visa go through? Any learnings, suggestions etc?
Thanks

[ashutosh123]

it worked

I am exactly in the same boat. Not able to understand the rationale behind such a suggestion from the immigration firm.
Did your visa go through? Any learnings, suggestions etc?
Thanks

As they say, "if it's stupid and it works, it ain't stupid." I am writing this email from US
Just go for it.

[tapeshm]

As they say, "if it's stupid and it works, it ain't stupid." I am writing this email from US
Just go for it.

Thanks for the quick reply and congrats
My email ID is [email protected]. Do you mind mailing your contact details so that I can get in touch with you for any further questions?
Thanks again.

[poisonapple]

Hi

Hi ,

First of all congrats on your Visa , i am also in similar situation ,if you don't mind could it be possible for you to let me know what all questions were asked in interview how was the overall process ..

Thanks in anticipation ,

[GSM1989]

My company has also recommended similar approach, with countries like Thailand, Germany, Brazil and China as options they are assessing. I would also like to get guidance in this respect.