Valid L1 Visa - Return to the USA as visitor?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2014
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 20
Valid L1 Visa - Return to the USA as visitor?
I applied for and received an L1 Visa in July 2015. It was issued for 5 years, so is valid until 2020.
My assignment in California was for two years. My employer was keen for me to remain in California, and I was happy to do it, but financially it was not a great deal for me - basically the rent I was paying meant that each month I was there, I was losing around £400-500. No problem, this was the price I paid for the fabulous experience, but it meant that the experience had to be finite.
Therefore, I returned to the UK at the end of July.
My question is: what do I do for return visits to the US? I remain employed by the same employer and in the same role, but as I am no longer residing in the US, I assume that nulls the L1 visa? Should I therefore apply for an ETSA for any future travel and if questioned by US immigration, just explain that I am no longer resident in the US hence the L1 does not apply? It will be sad to lose Global Entry and TSA-Pre though.
My assignment in California was for two years. My employer was keen for me to remain in California, and I was happy to do it, but financially it was not a great deal for me - basically the rent I was paying meant that each month I was there, I was losing around £400-500. No problem, this was the price I paid for the fabulous experience, but it meant that the experience had to be finite.
Therefore, I returned to the UK at the end of July.
My question is: what do I do for return visits to the US? I remain employed by the same employer and in the same role, but as I am no longer residing in the US, I assume that nulls the L1 visa? Should I therefore apply for an ETSA for any future travel and if questioned by US immigration, just explain that I am no longer resident in the US hence the L1 does not apply? It will be sad to lose Global Entry and TSA-Pre though.
#2
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: Valid L1 Visa - Return to the USA as visitor?
Return as a visitor and be admitted as a visitor. Using the L1 can be problematic because it's not the purpose of your trip and also eats away from the time you're allowed to be an L1 later if you decide to go back.
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 251
Re: Valid L1 Visa - Return to the USA as visitor?
Yes you use the ESTA for future travel to the US.
#4
Re: Valid L1 Visa - Return to the USA as visitor?
Don't go trying to explain it all to the officer, they have seen the situation before and they'll see that you have an ESTA on their system. Just answer the question they ask you and it will be fine.
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2014
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 20
Re: Valid L1 Visa - Return to the USA as visitor?
Thanks all for the replies - much appreciated.
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2016
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 334
Re: Valid L1 Visa - Return to the USA as visitor?
As above, yes apply for an ESTA. You won't loose GlobalEntry/TSA Pre so long as you go into your Login.gov (the new GOES) and update your visa information etc. You can choose on the GE machines when you get there what you're entering under, simply choose ESTA. Visa/GC/USC is not a mandatory requirement for GlobalEntry, ESTA will suffice.