L1 A Individual - Premium Processing: Need help on queries

[Scooby_doo]

Hi All,

My employer, an MNC will be applying for a L1A - Individual for me with premium processing and have collected tons of documents. I have quite a lot of questions and thought i could get some answers:

1. I currently have 7 direct and 18 indirect reportees - I have given a detailed job description for all my directs and indirect subordinates along with their reporting structure and the org chart & degree certificates of my directs. Am i missing anything else on this? Or anything else can add value on this?

2. One of my direct is based out of Australia and other indirects are based out of Singapore, Japan, China, HK, Australia & S. Korea. Will this have any implication?

3. I will be having 5 direct reportees (2 in the US and & 3 outside the US) with 69 indirect reportees, comprising a total of 74 of them in the chain of command. I have given the detailed Job Description of all my directs and key indirects. I have consolidated the JD for my other indirects accordingly. Will this raise any eyebrows or is this fine for a Global Manager?

4. This role is technically a promotion but not on papers. I will be performing a similar role as is today but with few additional tasks. Is this a concern?

5. I am with the organization since Apr, 2014 and have been a Manager by designation since April, 2019 & have been doing managerial duties since 2016. I have given quite a lot of evidences like emails, leave approvals, managerial transactions, organization announcements etc., for the past - Will this suffice to prove that i have been a manager since long? I would really like to avoid a scenario for an RFE.

6. I will be receiving a client invite letter as well from my current client shortly, along with my role which i will be playing, with an assumption that this may add value to the whole processing. How relevant is this? Do USCIS consider them relevant from a top MNC?

7. What is the minimum pay scale that USCIC look for when someone will be working out of the bay area?

8. I have given a detailed segregation of my job duties with relevant time split and also a documentation on how a typical day is currently in India along with a monthly meeting schedule. Will that be fine or is there anything which needs to be added?

9. I have done my PG (MBA) and the university (deemed) where i had done my UG was closed. I would not be able to get the transcripts but provide the mark sheets - Will there be any concerns on this? AFAIK, L1A does not require any educational certifications as a mandatory item unlike the H1B - Is this true? Also, should i however get my mark sheets, graduation certificate copies attested by a notary?

10. What is the timeline from start to end when the petition is submitted using a premium processing till i get a visa in hand of everything goes well? My company's immigration team says 2 months.

11. If i take my wife along for the dependent visa (interview), what is the maximum timeline that she can enter US? I am planning to travel first, settle things and take her back later probably in 6-8 months (won't say this at the interview though).

Looking forward for some help and guidance - TIA!

[Libra_14]

1. I currently have 7 direct and 18 indirect reportees - I have given a detailed job description for all my directs and indirect subordinates along with their reporting structure and the org chart & degree certificates of my directs. Am i missing anything else on this? Or anything else can add value on this?

May be you wanna prove that all your sub-ordinates are degreed professionals, so their final degree certificates.

2. One of my direct is based out of Australia and other indirects are based out of Singapore, Japan, China, HK, Australia & S. Korea. Will this have any implication?

No.

3. I will be having 5 direct reportees (2 in the US and & 3 outside the US) with 69 indirect reportees, comprising a total of 74 of them in the chain of command. I have given the detailed Job Description of all my directs and key indirects. I have consolidated the JD for my other indirects accordingly. Will this raise any eyebrows or is this fine for a Global Manager?

Its fine.

4. This role is technically a promotion but not on papers. I will be performing a similar role as is today but with few additional tasks. Is this a concern?

No.

5. I am with the organization since Apr, 2014 and have been a Manager by designation since April, 2019 & have been doing managerial duties since 2016. I have given quite a lot of evidences like emails, leave approvals, managerial transactions, organization announcements etc., for the past - Will this suffice to prove that i have been a manager since long? I would really like to avoid a scenario for an RFE.

Its certainly fine. Do not take RFE as negative response. An RFE doesn't mean you are on rejection path, rather it is an another chance to prove your candidature.

6. I will be receiving a client invite letter as well from my current client shortly, along with my role which i will be playing, with an assumption that this may add value to the whole processing. How relevant is this? Do USCIS consider them relevant from a top MNC?

Doesn't matter. L1 is for intra-company transfer from a foreign branch to parent branch. A client letter is not relevant here.

7. What is the minimum pay scale that USCIC look for when someone will be working out of the bay area?

$150K is a good pay for a manager in Bay area w.r.t. visa.

8. I have given a detailed segregation of my job duties with relevant time split and also a documentation on how a typical day is currently in India along with a monthly meeting schedule. Will that be fine or is there anything which needs to be added?

Should be good enough.

9. I have done my PG (MBA) and the university (deemed) where i had done my UG was closed. I would not be able to get the transcripts but provide the mark sheets - Will there be any concerns on this? AFAIK, L1A does not require any educational certifications as a mandatory item unlike the H1B - Is this true? Also, should i however get my mark sheets, graduation certificate copies attested by a notary?

That's correct.

10. What is the timeline from start to end when the petition is submitted using a premium processing till i get a visa in hand of everything goes well? My company's immigration team says 2 months.

Premium processing you'll get response in 15 days. Add another 15 days from the day you respond to RFE.

11. If i take my wife along for the dependent visa (interview), what is the maximum timeline that she can enter US? I am planning to travel first, settle things and take her back later probably in 6-8 months (won't say this at the interview though).

Once visa is approved, she can enter USA anytime during the visa duration. Or choose to not use that visa & stay back in her home country.

[Scooby_doo]

Thank you very much libra14 for your review and clarifying the queries. Fingers crossed and i am now awaiting for the attorney to share the feedback after the review of the items.
I also think that i will share the evidence of hire and fire with few emails of approving a employee's joining and moving resources out of the project/ firing.

[manojs83]

Thank you very much libra14 for your review and clarifying the queries. Fingers crossed and i am now awaiting for the attorney to share the feedback after the review of the items.
I also think that i will share the evidence of hire and fire with few emails of approving a employee's joining and moving resources out of the project/ firing.

I'm on the same path, just wanted to understand how you collected all your documents.

Could you let me know on the following:

1) What is your basic role in India?

2) How detailed did you structure :

I currently have 7 direct and 18 indirect reportees - I have given a detailed job description for all my directs and indirect subordinates along with their reporting structure and the org chart & degree certificates of my directs.

3) How did you structure the following. Could you give me some details?

I have given a detailed segregation of my job duties with relevant time split and also a documentation on how a typical day is currently in India along with a monthly meeting schedule. Will that be fine or is there anything which needs to be added?


Thanks.. I've got to submit the documents as well and need some support.

[Scooby_doo]

I'm on the same path, just wanted to understand how you collected all your documents.

Could you let me know on the following:

1) What is your basic role in India?

Service Delivery Manager

2) How detailed did you structure :

I currently have 7 direct and 18 indirect reportees - I have given a detailed job description for all my directs and indirect subordinates along with their reporting structure and the org chart & degree certificates of my directs.

Structured from the CEO on a linear path till me and i expanded my reporting structure.

3) How did you structure the following. Could you give me some details?

I have given a detailed segregation of my job duties with relevant time split and also a documentation on how a typical day is currently in India along with a monthly meeting schedule. Will that be fine or is there anything which needs to be added?

Ideally, all MNC's immigration team would have a template and you need to fill it in based in your roles and responsibilities.

Thanks.. I've got to submit the documents as well and need some support.

Each company has their set of document checklist based on their attorney. What are the list items?

[Scooby_doo]

Hi All,

My individual petition was approved on 13th March, 2020 and awaiting the hard copy. Couldn't move forward without the hardcopy and the embassy being closed.
In line with the recent immigration update, what are the chances of moving forward with the visa stamping process?

[Libra_14]

Hi All,

My individual petition was approved on 13th March, 2020 and awaiting the hard copy. Couldn't move forward without the hardcopy and the embassy being closed.
In line with the recent immigration update, what are the chances of moving forward with the visa stamping process?

Hard to say, but as long as you have your approved & valid petition you can go for stamping & can fly to USA.

[trirocks]

Hi All,

My individual petition was approved on 13th March, 2020 and awaiting the hard copy. Couldn't move forward without the hardcopy and the embassy being closed.
In line with the recent immigration update, what are the chances of moving forward with the visa stamping process?

Hi Scooby_doo,

Did you receive any RFE for your Individual petition? If yes, may I know what were evidence requests broadly based on?

Thanks

[Scooby_doo]

Hi Scooby_doo,

Did you receive any RFE for your Individual petition? If yes, may I know what were evidence requests broadly based on?

Thanks

No RFE. It was approved directly.

[Scooby_doo]

With the latest proclamation, I'm not really sure how this will move forward. My petition is approved and i have my I-789B for L1A. Any thoughts?

[Libra_14]

Could you get your visa stamped? If yes, then can enter into USA.

[Scooby_doo]

Hi Folks,

I had got my I-797B approved for L1A thru premium processing in March, 2020. My case status shows approved in he USICS page "We approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, and emailed you an approval notice.". and i have a scanned copy of the approval notice.

As per the current proclamation exemptions, I am a manager and fall under the category of Information Technology:

Senior-level executives or managers that are meeting a critical business or infrastructure need of an employer. Critical infrastructure sectors include chemical, communications, dams, defense industrial base, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, transportation, and water systems.

I also meet all the below 3 criterias:

L1A applicants are eligible for exemptions provided that they meet two of three indicators and they are not looking to setup a new office in the US. The three indicators include:

1. Must be a senior-level executive or manager - Manager
2. Has spent several years with the company overseas, indicating a substantial knowledge and expertise within the organization that can only be replicated by a new employee within the company following extensive training that would cause the employer financial hardship. - 6 Years with the same organization in India
3. Fill a critical business need for a company meeting a critical infrastructure need. - Due to the COVID-19 impact on our regular service delivery models, we have something critical going on at the client site where the service delivery needs to be revamped to the new normal. Almost the whole infrastructure of the services rendered by my team needs to be changed. (Can get a supporting letter from client with fine details)

My queries are:

1. Will this suffice for me to attend/ schedule an appointment for the interview?
2. Is hard copy of the approval required or will scanned copy suffice?
3. In the worst case, if the officer rejects my visa application, will i have to go thru the process right from the beginning like procuring a fresh I-797B approved by a fresh application? Or can i reapply? I applied it in premium processing and it costed quite a lot for my organization.
4. In case of reapplication, is there a specific blackout period that i may not be eligible to apply?

[manojs83]

Hi Folks,

I had got my I-797B approved for L1A thru premium processing in March, 2020. My case status shows approved in he USICS page "We approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, and emailed you an approval notice.". and i have a scanned copy of the approval notice.

As per the current proclamation exemptions, I am a manager and fall under the category of Information Technology:



I also meet all the below 3 criterias:


My queries are:

1. Will this suffice for me to attend/ schedule an appointment for the interview?
2. Is hard copy of the approval required or will scanned copy suffice?
3. In the worst case, if the officer rejects my visa application, will i have to go thru the process right from the beginning like procuring a fresh I-797B approved by a fresh application? Or can i reapply? I applied it in premium processing and it costed quite a lot for my organization.
4. In case of reapplication, is there a specific blackout period that i may not be eligible to apply?

@ Scooby: I'm in the same situation as yours, are you asking for "Emergency request" for visa appointment or the regular appointment scheduling option? Since the regular option has dates available in 2021

Have you checked with your immigration team in your firm?

[Scooby_doo]

@ Scooby: I'm in the same situation as yours, are you asking for "Emergency request" for visa appointment or the regular appointment scheduling option? Since the regular option has dates available in 2021

Have you checked with your immigration team in your firm?

I have spoken to them and they are no sure about the dates yet. During one interaction, our immigration team said that the appointments which are being scheduled for any dates in Aug were pushed to Feb, 2021, which does not make sense in my case as the need is urgent and to be there in US ASAP.

[manojs83]

I have spoken to them and they are no sure about the dates yet. During one interaction, our immigration team said that the appointments which are being scheduled for any dates in Aug were pushed to Feb, 2021, which does not make sense in my case as the need is urgent and to be there in US ASAP.

Likewise, the current engagement I've working on (I got back in Mar, was on Business visa then) requires my presence there since the entire architecture designed prior to COVID needs revamp and the client doesn't expect just a 'Keeping the lights on model".

So I guess emergency request with uploading letters from client / US team might be the only option. Let me know if you get any updates from your immigration team.

Damn....this wait is tiring......