steveyell

So - didn't want to post until documents were in hand, but I have just received back our shiny new L1 Visas in our passports having attended in London for interview in the last few weeks. Very exciting and not enough time in the day as I am due to fly out shortly, with my family following on later.

I attended armed with around 600 pages of A4 provided by our immigration attorneys and my whole family including young son - no exception for him to not attend.

In the end they only looked literally at our DS-160, I-129S and I-797 Blanket petition approval. I think I literally was asked 3 questions:

1) Why do you want to move to the USA?
2) What is your current job title?
3) What is the Specialist knowledge that you possess?

The turnaround from interview to having passports and validated I-129S has been quick - really great job by London US Embassy staff.

I do have a question: The Visa is valid for 5 years, but the I-129S is only valid for 2 years? Is that normal? After we enter do we no longer need the I-129S as we will rely on an I-94?

Also does anyone have experience with using pre-clearance in Dublin, vs waiting until getting to Stateside for first entry?

Thanks for the knowledge you've all shared on this site folks - it's super helpful when preparing for something like this.

steveyell

Ignore me - still not used to reading Month/Day, rather than Day/Month!

tht

If the visa is longer it could save you going back for new one if your employer applies for an extension after the 2 years and you are approved.

TexanScot

A visa is just a permission to travel to the United States and request admission for a specific purpose, in your case as an L-1B specialized knowledge worker.

If you look on the visa foil it should have endorsements to the effect of "Must present approved I-129S" and "PED ddmmmyyyy".

What that means is that your physical visa foil is valid for five years, but that you must present the approved I-129S to CBP when you request admission and that they will admit you up until the Petition Expiry Date, which will be on your approved I-129S.

For an L-1B you will be admitted for an initial three years, and each time you use that visa to re-enter the US your admission will be until that same Petition Expiry Date.

If your employer extends your status for a further two years (L-1B can have ONE extension) then you can still use the same visa to come and go so long as it is valid, subject to the expiration date on your new petition.



As per the endorsement on the visa, you are supposed to present the petition to CBP so be sure to bring it with you (although they didn't ask for it on my last admission).

You no longer receive a physical I-94 and can retrieve this online, although a new I-94 number is generated for each admission and it cannot be used to re-enter the US. (it's just a record of admission, not permission to be re-admitted).

TexanScot

Correct.

I'm in extension proceedings just now and I don't need to return back to the UK for a new foil.

postbox134

Congrats! Expect a slightly longer than usual processing at the POE (could be precheck in Ireland). They may well ask you similar questions to what you had at the consulate, but much more relaxed. They also tend to be much friendly at the border than when I've entered on B2/VWP in the past - you'll need your approved I-129S on you at all times when leaving the US so you can re-enter (and also employment verification and other proof). Subsequent entries expect to be asked if you still work for company X.

All the best with the moving process!