L1B visa questions

[b1achi]

Hi, I am thinking of approaching my employers for a transfer on L1B to US sometime next year. Has anyone gone through with it recently that I could perhaps touch base with?

I am interested in responses to questions like: A) what are the current processing times for approval and if its worth paying the expedited services. Or any other tips associated with processing that you may have experienced or learnt. B) is it normal/acceptable to think about Green Card application with L1B visa? The answers on the Internet are often 192.168.0.1 router login roundabout on this. If it is, what's the approach? Should I get the approval from my company I they agree on L1B? Or is the norm to transfer to another visa type to apply for GC? C) is it easy for dependent spouse to get work permit on this visa if necessary paperwork is provided properly? Any idea about timelines? D) any issues or comments that I need to be aware of on this visa?

Much appreciated. Might add a few more questions now or later depending on responses I get.

Thanks!

[Libra_14]

What are the current processing times for approval and if its worth paying the expedited services. Or any other tips associated with processing that you may have experienced or learnt.

With normal processing the petition would take ~6 months & appointment another ~3 months. Considering you may want to move to USA sooner, I would suggest to go with normal processing & book an appointment right now for 7 months from now. Or if you can secure an appointment sooner, you can anytime convert your petition to premium & expect to get response within 15 days.

Is it normal/acceptable to think about Green Card application with L1B visa? The answers on the Internet are often roundabout on this. If it is, what's the approach? Should I get the approval from my company I they agree on L1B? Or is the norm to transfer to another visa type to apply for GC?

Each company have different policy for sponsoring GC - so you should check with them.
L1B visa is valid only for 5 years & cannot be extended beyond that. with EB2/EB3 category current wait time for GC is way beyond 5 years. So again, you'll need to switch to H1B before your 5 years tenure on L1B to be able to continue staying in USA.
L1A visa gives you 7 years of stay & the L1A eligibility is almost similar for EB1 category for GC with almost no wait time for GC.

Is it easy for dependent spouse to get work permit on this visa if necessary paperwork is provided properly? Any idea about timelines?

Dependent of L1 gets L2 visa & in current time dependent can start working with their "L2S" status.

Any issues or comments that I need to be aware of on this visa?

Securing L1B visa is little difficult, as you need to prove that you hold some proprietary knowledge, which is not easily available in USA & hence you are the only one for this job in USA. Extension after initial 3 year period is another challenge to prove that you are still needed in USA to support your company.

[DerrickOlley]

The same problem was I have been waiting for this petition for more than 6 months much!Time only in the late evenings I have left for Internet searches in so all in work in cosmetic surgery here plastic practice!!