shelby52

Hello

My company will be starting an L1 visa process for me in the first week of January. I have a couple of business visits to the US at the end of January/beginning February and am then on annual leave, so I won't be able to have my interview until March. The business visits are not related to the move to the US. We have a lot of US clients already and I visit approx 3-4 times a year at present. I am traveling into San Fran, our new office is in NYC, if that makes a difference!

I understand from the web that it is a 'frowned upon' to travel on business while an L1 visa application is in process. Does anyone have any experience of what this practically means at customs in terms of how much pressure I am going to get? I completely understand that I shouldn't lie and indeed I won't, but any tips of anything I should say if they do seriously question my entry - I am wary of over explaining as well!

Thanks so much :-)

Owen778

No, it isn't.

It's against the law to start actually working in the US until you enter using the L1, but it's fine to have business visits for meetings etc., just like you were before.

Noorah101

Personally I don't think you'll have any issues. I do not have any direct experience though.

Rene

ian-mstm

I suggest you stop reading "the web", because you are definitely allowed to travel to the US while you have a visa application in process - and doing so will have no impact whatsoever on your application. Many of us have travelled while visas were in process... it's never been an issue.

Ian

shelby52

Thanks very much everyone! I shall stop worrying.

tht

I did this while my L1 was in process back in 2010, I had no issues, I think as long as you use common sense you should be OK. i.e. a couple of short business trips, if you are effectively coming back and staying the majority of time while you wait it might be looked on differently.

One thing to remember is that if your visa is approved at interview they will take your passport and it could take a week plus till its back in your hands, so if you only have 1 passport plan / don't plan travel accordingly.

Jennyw13

Hi
We are in a very similar position & I wondered if passports are taken at all before the interview stage? I'm assuming not from reading the above. We are due to submit L1A application in the next week, but will be travelling to France to visit family in Aug. I don't want to risk sending passports off before we have our holiday, if there is a risk we won't get them back in time.
Any comments appreciated

Thanks

Jenny

ian-mstm

They're not.


US immigration has absolutely no interest whatsoever in your passport until the day of your interview.

Ian

Jennyw13

That's great, thanks Ian