L1 visa question
 

Hi all,

I work for a US company outside of the US (in the UK). I have been employed for just under 6 months there. My field of work is quite specialized, where the skills I have are highly sought after in the US generally (IT Security).

The company I work for is very big and well known and they have open positions in the US that I could easily fill. I have never lived in the US but would like to move there long term as I have other family out there.

I understand I would need to work in the company for at least a year and have specialist skills to be eligible for an L1.

My question: I don't want to risk losing any time once the year approaches. What can I do in the mean time as part of the lead up to talking to my manager about this all?

Should I be kicking something off maybe 3 months before my year is complete?

Any advice from those who have been in similar situations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Re: L1 visa question
 

In your case, the company petitions the visa, not the beneficiary. They drive this, not you.
Who told you that those in the field of IT security are 'highly sought after' in the US? I ask, because it's not true.

Re: L1 visa question
 

Thanks.
No one told me - there are a number of reasons why I believe the US can't get enough IT Security professionals (with specialist knowledge).

- There are lots of relevant jobs advertised in CA and AZ (areas I am interested in).
- I deal with numerous projects in the US so am aware of the need
- The Obama administration tightens security related regulations all the time. Companies across multiple verticals have to be compliant with some for of regulation as a minimum.

That said, what makes you confidently say there is no demand in the US?

Re: L1 visa question
 

I think you also need to have worked in a managerial capacity for that 1 year, but double check the requirements.

I have not been in your situation, but personally I'd talk to your manager sooner rather than later, so you know what you need to work towards. You don't want to wait until only 3 months before your current 1 year is up, only to find that you needed to be in a different position, or needed to have been doing something differently that whole time!

You should express your interest in getting transfered to the USA, and have the company lawyers tell you what the requirements are for an L-1 visa.

Rene

Re: L1 visa question
 

Makes sense to do that. It's going pretty well so I just didn't want them thinking I'm here for a bit then will disappear. But that's life - as a manager she should be able to understand that (and she will - she's VERY competent in her role).

Thank you!

p.s: My sister lives in Mesa, not far from Phoenix :) Lovely place!!

Re: L1 visa question
 

if you have specialist skills it would actually be the L1(b)
but a lawyer on most occasions will only get the ball rolling once you have worked for the company for a year. :)

Re: L1 visa question
 

Thanks. Even via a blanket L1 visa ?

Re: L1 visa question
 

for a blanket L1 your company needs to meet certain these criteria are

sponsored at least 10 L1's in the past 12 months (with approvals)
sales of over 25 million US dollars a year
and employs 1000 US employees
and have 3 offices in the US:)

Re: L1 visa question
 

The gigantic numbers of unemployed IT specialists already in the US gives me that impression, I suppose.

The petitioner makes the case for you. Other than expressing your interest, you are pretty much a (passive) passenger in the process. You will be asked to provide certain personal information as the application progresses, but the company's attorney is the person doing the driving - also don't lose sight of the factr that the attorney is acting in the corporation's best interest, which may not be your best interest.

Good luck - times are still tough over here.

Re: L1 visa question
 

thanks. They are well over 100 times of that so shouldnt be a problem there

Re: L1 visa question
 

ah ... well I can understand IT professional but not IT 'SECURITY' professionals which is a whole different ball game.

Thanks for tips around attorney

Re: L1 visa question
 

I don't live anywhere near silicon valley, but around here, IT security personnel with both MIS degrees and CISSP qualifications are a dime a dozen.

Ian

Re: L1 visa question
 

While there's nothing at all wrong with 'selling' your expertise, we are not the people you need to convince, regarding your specialist and rare skills.

If your company have a need - and they feel they can justify to USCIS and DoL that 'importing' you would be more practical than employing someone who is already here, then you're laughing.

However, if you think that there is a shortage of IT security specialists, already in the US job-pool, fighting for every opening that appears, you are a bit deluded.

Re: L1 visa question
 

I would ask them to concentrate on your knowledge of your role in relation to the business, as opposed just your technical skills. That in itself, might be more 'specialist'.

Re: L1 visa question
 

You can say that about professional in any area of work. CISSP is worth nothing these days.