Smeg

This should be an easy one for people in the know, but it's not something
I've found answered in my searches online.

My employer is transferring me to the US on an L1-B (non immigrant visa,
I've gathered).

They are talking of green cards and permanent stays, but it's my
understanding that a green card isn't available on a non immigrant visa.

Can I apply for one while staying there on my L1-B? What makes me applicable
for one? The fact I'm living and working there already, or for a set length
of time?

It's all so confusing

smeg

Sylvia Ottemoeller

"smeg" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

    > This should be an easy one for people in the know, but it's not something
    > I've found answered in my searches online.
    > My employer is transferring me to the US on an L1-B (non immigrant visa,
    > I've gathered).
    > They are talking of green cards and permanent stays, but it's my
    > understanding that a green card isn't available on a non immigrant visa.

Of course "green card" (permanent resident status) and nonimmigrant
(temporary) status are different things. Eligibility for a category of
temporary status is separate from eligibility for a category of permanent
resident status. See http://www.americanlaw.com/info.html.

You can be in the U.S. holding a temporary status, and your employer can
pursue permanent resident status on your behalf.

    > Can I apply for one while staying there on my L1-B? What makes me
applicable
    > for one? The fact I'm living and working there already, or for a set
length
    > of time?

No. You and your position must fit within a employment-based immigrant
(permanent resident) category. See http://www.americanlaw.com/employ.html.