Urgent L2 queries

[Hg77]

Hi,

I have a job offer from a major company in Seattle and I have to accept the offer by next week. Can you please help me with the following queries..this is highly critical for me to take a decision and any help is much appreciated.

a) I am currently on L1 A and my wife is on L1 B. I am planning to change my status to L2 to accept the current offer. What is the procedure for the same. Can I change my status since I am already in US?

b) How long can i continue to work with my existing organization in L1A? Assume that I apply for a L1-L2 status, how will I know since when the L2 will be effective??

c) Can I travel out side of US after I change my status to L2 and apply for EAD? I dont want to be without work for 2-3 months till the EAD gets approved and I would like to travel to Canada to work during this period.

Can you please help with the above queries.
thanks,
H

[txh1b]

a. yes, you can change but you cannot begin work till you get the EAD in your hand which can only be applied after your status changes to L2 which will take couple of months.

b. You can continue work till the COS gets approved. After which any work without an approved EAD is illegal.

c. Yes, that is the quickest way. To get a L2 visa stamp and re-enter and apply for EAD. You cannot work or get paid without EAD in your hand. No shortcuts for this.

[Hg77]

Thanks

Thanks...
Can you please clarify the following

a) when you mentiond that the COS is approved to L2, does it mean the same day I have to quit my job?? I have to give advance notice to my employer and I am confused on which date i should provide as I may not know till my l2 status has happened. Is that correct?

b) I was plannign to change the status to L2-apply for EAD the same day and then travel out to canada for a job till the EAD gets approved and come back to US with L2 stamping and EAD approval ( which I would have already got when I was in US). Will this work?

thanks,

[DMX17]

If you plan to get L2 stamping, why do you want to apply for a COS to L2? You can resign from your job with whatever notice. On your last day, leave for canada. Get L2 stamp. Reneter on L2. Apply for EAD. Go back to canada. Come back once EAD is approved.

I mean COS costs money.

My doubt is: what happens to the EAD application once you leave after applying? Can you still use it after coming back? I don't know much about L1/L2.

[txh1b]

Do you have work permit for Canada?

[Hg77]

Thanks!!

The new organization is willing to sponsor my canadian work permit ( to work from Vancouver for 2-3 months).

I understand that I may have to leave to canada the exact day I quit from my current organization. (I have kept this as the last option).

I would like to change the status to L2 from US and apply EAD on the same day . This way I do not have to waste time on applying my EAD as I have to travel to Canada, book and appointment in US counslate, get the stamping and come back apply for EAD etc, I may lose 3-4 weeks in this process).

Will I get an intimation on the exact date from which my L2 will be valid? If so I can plan to quit my organization as on that date and be in US in L2 for a week and finish off the formalities before I travel to canada.
Thanks,

[txh1b]

What you are trying to do will not work as COS is considered abandoned if you leave the country. Additinally, EAD can only be applied after L2 COS gets approved. Not along with the application to change status.

Only option that will work for you is quit company, go to Canada, apply for L2, get stamped, come back to US, apply for EAD, go back to Canada for working.

[Hg77]

great thanks!!

Great info TXH1b et all. Thanks!! I will proceed as per your advice as it seems straight fwd and less complicated.
Cheers
H