Fastest way to switch from L1 to L2

[SydA]

I'm an Indian citizen in US on L1 VISA. My spouse is also here on an L1 VISA. I suspect that in a month or so i may be laid off or voluntarily quit.

Based on other threads in this forum, looks like i could apply for a change of status from L1 to L2 (based on my spouse's L1). However, it takes 12-14 several months

My question is, would it be much faster if i go back to India as soon as my employment is terminated and then immediately apply for an L2 from India and expect that to process in 3-4 weeks (which is apparently the typical timeframe for L2). Or is that hypothesis incorrect and would the USIC still consider that as a COS and the 12-14 months timeframe would apply?

TIA

[Libra_14]

My question is, would it be much faster if i go back to India as soon as my employment is terminated and then immediately apply for an L2 from India and expect that to process in 3-4 weeks (which is apparently the typical timeframe for L2). Or is that hypothesis incorrect and would the USIC still consider that as a COS and the 12-14 months timeframe would apply?

Yes, it will be faster, but then you might probably loose your L1 visa.

Why do you want to get response of COS early? Once you file for your COS application, you can stay in USA & let the response come whenever it'll.

[SydA]

Thanks for the response. The reason i want an L2 early is so that i can start working again as soon as possible after a layoff. So let's say i get laid off in May, my L1 status is over. If i apply a change of status now and lose my L1 status in a month, i might still be able to stay here but cant work until the decision is made on L2 and then EAD. If instead after the layoff, i goto India and apply for L2 there, i understand it'll take about 3 wks to get L2 and then i can be back in US and apply for EAD. i just want to confirm that applying L2 right after the end of a L1, is that going to be ok?

[Libra_14]

If i apply a change of status now and lose my L1 status in a month, i might still be able to stay here but cant work until the decision is made on L2 and then EAD.

That's correct.

If instead after the layoff, i goto India and apply for L2 there, i understand it'll take about 3 wks to get L2 and then i can be back in US and apply for EAD.

US Embassy in India is not processing visas for now, please check before leaving.

i just want to confirm that applying L2 right after the end of a L1, is that going to be ok?

Its fine, you can get L2 from anywhere outside USA & come back to USA. But you'll then need to apply for EAD, which will again take 4-6 months. & you cannot work on EAD until you get the original card in your hand.