surreygirl1

Hope someone can shed some light on this. Hubby is here on blanket L1 I am on L2. He came back from Europe a couple of weeks ago and immigration lady asked him if he was still with the company that gave him the visa. He was surprised to be asked this as we were under the impression that he was tied to the company that gave him this visa. Can he apply to other companies within the U.S whilst on this visa?

snowbunny

She was doublechecking.

mommapudding

you're right - it was just a security question, you'd be in a sorry state had you said no I guess Nothing to worry about though, it's their job.

Vimto

I have been asked too more than once, also asked what position I held? As has been said they are just double checking, nothing to be concerned about.

chicagojlo

And to confirm - you can talk to other companies but you'll need a new visa to work for one of those companies.

dh010447

Yeah - i have left the US 3 times since I got my visa, and I have been asked the same question every single time I returned... Last time they even wanted details oy job, what my job title was, how long I was here for.......

surreygirl1

Okay thanks. He's not particularly happy with employers at present, but we thought we'd have to start again re visas.

fatbrit

And the new visa is unlikely to be an L1!

chicagojlo

You would be better off trying to get the current employer to apply for green cards for you, if you qualified for EB1-C you could potentially have them inside a year. Once you have them there is no tie to the employer anymore.

surreygirl1

We have requested green cards, but I think they are wise to the fact this would take off the 'handcuffs' and he could leave. Still no harm in asking again. Thanks

chicagojlo

Well if he is unhappy he could also just up and leave altogether with no warning, at least they have you while the GCs are being processed!
Some people offer to pay all the costs when their employers are not so happy about going down the GC route. It may be worth considering.

hobbes79

I was married to a USC so it was marriage based, but the company I was with saw the benefits of getting me a GC and paid for all the application and lawyer costs. The sacrifice I had to make was signing something to say I would stay with them for at least one year after getting the GC, and if I didn't I would have to pay all the costs back.

You could make it clear you would agree to similar conditions perhaps?

They laid me off about 4-months after getting the GC, so it was all a bit of a moot point for me And under those circumstances, I was not required to pay them back according to what I signed