F1-OPT to L2

[megahunt]

Dear forum,

Let's imagine the following scenario:

Person A has F1-OPT work authorization from July 2017 to June 2018. In June 2017, Person A gets married to an L1 visa holder.

If A wanted to switch from the expiring F1-OPT to an L2 visa in June 2017, how long would that process take and would there be any gaps in employment?

Could A work outside the US while potentially waiting for the new employment authorization based on L2? Thanks.

Best,
A

[raghvi]

Dear forum,

Let's imagine the following scenario:

Person A has F1-OPT work authorization from July 2017 to June 2018. In June 2017, Person A gets married to an L1 visa holder.

If A wanted to switch from the expiring F1-OPT to an L2 visa in June 2017, how long would that process take and would there be any gaps in employment?

Could A work outside the US while potentially waiting for the new employment authorization based on L2? Thanks.

Best,
A

It can take 3-6 Months if stay within US. Otherwise, you can go out of US and get L2 stamped in your passport and return, which will certainly be faster.

Yes, one can work outside US.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

[megahunt]

It can take 3-6 Months if stay within US. Otherwise, you can go out of US and get L2 stamped in your passport and return, which will certainly be faster.

Yes, one can work outside US.

This is my opinion not legal advice.

Obviously A would temporarily leave the country if that would accelerate the process.

What is the process that needs to be followed here? Do you first have to switch to L2 status, then apply for a new EAD based on L2 status?

Can you switch to L2 before the OPT expires and keep working with the OPT-EAD until the L2-EAD arrives?

If not, what are other strategies to minimize the gap in US employment authorization?

(Sorry if I'm mixing things up. This whole US immigration system seems unnecessarily cumbersome.)