TomTom1988

Hi all,

I wanted to share some info with you regarding the L-1A and our experience at the US embassy yesterday. We have gone through an L-1A individual petition for the setup of a new office. It was approved 2 weeks ago and yesterday we had our L1 & L2 interview at the US embassy in London. We were told at the end they wouldn't be issuing our visa today and we where going into administrative processing. When I asked politely if they could tell us why they let us know our office in the US has been "flagged" due to it being a shared office space with suites.

Needless to say, I am disappointed and expecting the worst from AP. Visa officer suggested it should be concluded within a few days and told us not to worry too much.

Just in case anyone is going through the process with I-129 / L-1A just be aware apparently this can happen.

TomTom1988

For anyone else reading this FYI we received 221(G) notice which is what has created the administrative processing. We are still awaiting any notice but hope to hear some time this week.

Lisahart28

I have been in AP for four months and counting No news at all and with the news surrounding it atm it doesn't sound like it is a quick process

TomTom1988

Which visa Lisa? The issue with the L-1A is that it began counting down it validity the minute the I-129 was approved so every day in AP is 1 less day on the L-1A visa validity.

Lisahart28

TomTom1988

It is. When we were told about 221(G) I asked why and we were told why I wasn't sure if we were allowed to ask but thankfully the VO was kind enough and told us. They did also tell me it should be clear within 2 - 3 days 7 days tops. We will see!

Lisahart28

TomTom1988

So they took your passport? Weird!

karenkaren1

Hopefully you will hear back soon but anyone can open a serviced office so it may be advisable to demonstrate why this is necessary for you compared to leasing other type of property - it could be seen as a virtual office as opposed to a real functional office where you will be expanding your new business and employing Americans.

Regarding your other point about losing time on the initial 12 mths - we lost a few months waiting for my husbands waiver of ineligibility to be approved. My lawyer advises the lost time can be requested when applying for the extension.

Lisahart28

TomTom1988

Thanks, Karen. Our I-129 was already approved as it was an individual petition filled before the Visa interview, we had within the pack explained the need for a serviced office or more exactly the benefit of it for our style of business which is why I guess it was so odd for us to have it then flagged after having had the I-129 approved. The issue with the extension and credit of time is that we need to prove within that first year that we can expand rapidly. I wouldn't actually be looking to extend it, my intention is to come home after the first year so a loss of 2 months is impactful.

TomTom1988

Just for anyone who is following this, it will be 7 days tomorrow with no update or contact from the embassy. Having spoken with an immigration lawyer there is nothing really we can do at this point but wait.

vindico

I feel for you. The whole visa process is so burdensome and leaves you in limbo right until the last minute. With all the business planning needed to get a new office off the ground makes it very hard - first you have to have the business underway to apply for a visa, then they expect you to run it normally initially with no visa all the while with the uncertainty of ever getting it, and then once approved you have at least a month of delay and more if you are in AP and the clock is ticking. It is a nightmare.

scrubbedexpat099

Usually AP through London is measured in days, obviously always the exception.The ones usually with long AP's have T Country connections.

TomTom1988

Thanks Vindico & Boiler. It is super frustrating the VO did say to us in his opinion it would be early this coming week we should receive an email so I have my fingers crossed. It just rough sitting with a half-empty house and a business in limbo as Vindico described while we wait.

What I found really odd was the reason the VO gave for the 221(G) was our office as we sent about 20 photos of the inside of the office with our logo's outside of the office, common areas, kitchen you name it!