Bd

I was working in the US with an L-1, my spouse have an L-2 and she was
working with an EAD. On Dec.2 I was laid off by my employer, I was
told that the paperwork that they were doing for my GC is stopped and
my file will be withdraw from INS. I was also told that since my L-1
expiers automatically therefore the L-2 and the EAD expire too and my
spouse should stop working ASAP. The Ls and the EAD expire on 08/2003
I'm trying to find a new sponsor so I can change fro L-1 to H-1 but I
have several questions?
1-How much time do I have to find another employer without having to
leave the country?
2-Does my spouse really need to quit her job ASAP?
3-Is it possible that, if she finds a sponsor, that she can change
from L-2 to H1?

Thanks
Bruno

Stuart Brook

BD wrote:

    > 1-How much time do I have to find another employer without having to
    > leave the country?

It's already too late. You had to regularize your status (either by
leaving or changing to another status to which you are entitled on the
day you were laid off. Even if you overstay and find an H1B employer
you will need to leave the country for a new visa.

    > 2-Does my spouse really need to quit her job ASAP?

Yes.

    > 3-Is it possible that, if she finds a sponsor, that she can change
    > from L-2 to H1?

Again, too late. She can certainly get an H1B if she and the job are
eligible, but she'll have to leave the US and return. If she leaves
with you to return, she'll get an H4, and she could find a job and
change status to an H1B in her own right if eligible.

Ingo Pakleppa

On Sat, 07 Dec 2002 08:04:46 +0000, BD wrote:

    > I was working in the US with an L-1, my spouse have an L-2 and she was
    > working with an EAD. On Dec.2 I was laid off by my employer, I was
    > told that the paperwork that they were doing for my GC is stopped and
    > my file will be withdraw from INS. I was also told that since my L-1
    > expiers automatically therefore the L-2 and the EAD expire too and my
    > spouse should stop working ASAP. The Ls and the EAD expire on 08/2003
    > I'm trying to find a new sponsor so I can change fro L-1 to H-1 but I
    > have several questions?
    > 1-How much time do I have to find another employer without having to
    > leave the country?

Zero days. You must file a change of status to tourist or the like
immediately.

    > 2-Does my spouse really need to quit her job ASAP?

Yes.

    > 3-Is it possible that, if she finds a sponsor, that she can change
    > from L-2 to H1?

Yes, as long as her job qualifies.