RichardJ

I am currently working in the US on an L1A visa and have been for close to 6 years. I have recently been offered the opportunity of a permanent job with a different company and a GC.

The question is do I have to leave the US to get a new visa for the new company? Or can it happen whilst I am still working for my existing company?

RICH

If you want as new visa, yes you will have to leave the country, since visas are entry documents and are only issued outside.

Noorah101

I believe if you are switching from an L1 from one company, to an H1B with a new company, the change of status can be done from within the USA. Have your H1B employer's immigration attorney look into it.

Rene

ian-mstm

No, a change of status can be done while you're in the US.

The application can be made while you're still working, yes. Once the application is approved, you can begin working for the new employer. The change of status process will leave you landlocked. That means that you're okay to live and work in the US, but if you leave the US, you must appear at a US Consulate to get the actual visa in your passport.

Are you married? Does your wife work? If you are and she does, she's going to lose that ability when you switch to an H-1B visa.

Ian

RichardJ

Not married, so that complication isn't a worry.

scrubbedexpat099

Also depends how much time left he has.

henryh

Ask the potential new employer to ask their lawyer about it. But generally if you're eligible for another nonimmigrant (e.g. H-1B) or immigrant (direct to green card) status, you wouldn't have to leave the country to do so. If you change status to H-1B then the next time you happen to leave the US, you would need to visit a consulate to get a visa before you return.

RichardJ

I have 2 more years on my L1A.

I will talk to the new employer and get them to ask the question too.