Jenster

My husband's firm are applying for an L1B for him and claim to be filing a L2 for me. So far we've only filled one form from the lawyers, which asked for copies of our passports and birth/marriage certs as well as the job details for my husband of course.
Now I'm wondering how it's actually going to work as we're British but living i Holland. Does the company file the application at it's local centre (for Chicago) and then invite us to the American Embassy in Holland with all the original docs, or will we have to send all our passports etc to the Chicago lawyers? Is the visa issued into the passport, or do we get it on arrival in the US?
Also is there a medical exam involved?
I'm asking all these questions as our lawyers and HR contacts are just too slow to respond and I'm too impatient!

another Bob

In article <[email protected]> , Jenster
<member55608@british_expats.com> wrote:

    > My husband's firm are applying for an L1B for him and claim to be filing
    > a L2 for me. So far we've only filled one form from the lawyers, which
    > asked for copies of our passports and birth/marriage certs as well as
    > the job details for my husband of course.
    > Now I'm wondering how it's actually going to work as we're British but
    > living i Holland. Does the company file the application at it's local
    > centre (for Chicago) and then invite us to the American Embassy in
    > Holland with all the original docs, or will we have to send all our
    > passports etc to the Chicago lawyers? Is the visa issued into the
    > passport, or do we get it on arrival in the US?
    > Also is there a medical exam involved?
    > I'm asking all these questions as our lawyers and HR contacts are just
    > too slow to respond and I'm too impatient!
The I-129 petition will be sent to the USCIS. When they approve, they
will approve the L-1B for your husband. They will issue a document
called I-797 with the approval. He should be given the I-797 or at
least the employee portion of the document. When the I-129 was (is)
submitted, one of the areas entered is what your overseas address is
and where you will get your L visa stamps (L1, L2). The USCIS notifies
the embassy/consulate electronically.

The embasssy/consulate likely has a web site. The URL is something like

city-of-embassy.usembassy.gov

Go to that web site and check their visa application process
checklists. You will have to each fill out a DS-156 and DS-157
document. The DS-156 will likely be an on-line form that sends a pdf
document to your computer. The DS-157 is likely a pdf form that you
download and fill out. Follow the embassy instructions about making an
appointment, look at their checklist they make for the L visa. They
will likely like to see the forms, a copy of the petition that was
filed with the USCIS, your passports, pictures, etc. They will also
have each of you pay a $100 fee. I am only familiar with some Asian US
consulates, but the process is likely as above.

In my company's experience, law offices usually charge a lot to fill
out the forms. In some countries there are travel agents with access to
drop off and pick up your documents (also a charge).

Two months ago, one of our associates had an L visa petition filed with
Premium Processing ($1000 extra fee for USCIS) and the visa petition
was approved in less than 2 weeks. You have to wait for the mailed
approval notice but you may wish to make reservations for your
interview. You and your spouse should go to the interview together if
possible. If not, AFTER your spouse gets the L-1B visa sticker in his
passport, get a copy of it and a copy of the I-797 for you to apply for
your visa later.

I recommend that you see that you are in agreement with your lawyer as
to which US embassy/consulate you want (are allowed to use).

This is all based on my experience, I am not a lawyer.

another Bob

another Bob

In article <[email protected]> , Jenster
<member55608@british_expats.com> wrote:

    > My husband's firm are applying for an L1B for him and claim to be filing
    > a L2 for me. So far we've only filled one form from the lawyers, which
    > asked for copies of our passports and birth/marriage certs as well as
    > the job details for my husband of course.
    > Now I'm wondering how it's actually going to work as we're British but
    > living i Holland. Does the company file the application at it's local
    > centre (for Chicago) and then invite us to the American Embassy in
    > Holland with all the original docs, or will we have to send all our
    > passports etc to the Chicago lawyers? Is the visa issued into the
    > passport, or do we get it on arrival in the US?
    > Also is there a medical exam involved?
    > I'm asking all these questions as our lawyers and HR contacts are just
    > too slow to respond and I'm too impatient!

Sorry I forgot to answer about filing: All of the I-129 forms are filed
in the Vermont Service Center at this time. You cannot file for work
permission until you enter the US on an L-2 visa. That document is
likely filed somewhere else and takes about 3 months.

another Bob

Jenster

Really great information, thanks so much for your assistance!