Vimto

As we all know our managers change over time and so do the HR personnel involved with the immigration lawyers on our transfers to the US.
Which is why the promise of a green card needs to be in writing and pursued with vigor, people unfortunately/conveniently forget verbal promises and of course we are the only people who remember.
I personally have seen a couple of very upset expat families who thought they were staying in the US for the foreseeable future only to have the rug pulled from underneath their feet in the middle of crucial times of their kids education, because their green card were not contractually promised to them.

JAJ

It should be understood that even if the company honors the agreement to sponsor, eligibility for the green card is decided by the U.S. Government. Not the company. There have been cases on this forum of green card cases being either significantly delayed, or refused, even with company sponsorship.

In addition, companies can sometimes be unable to honor commitments even if they want to. For example, in a bankruptcy.

The only genuinely safe way to immigrate (subject to accepting the tax obligations on green card holders) is through the Immigrant Visa, which gives permanent residence from arrival in the United States. Every other option carries risk, which must be managed.

scrubbedexpat027

Great point.

leehindmarch

Thanks for all the replies.
I haven't signed the L visa yet so will try and get something in writing added to the contract that I sign.

Will let you know how I get on. Writing to HR in the States today

leehindmarch

Company have agreed to process and sponsor my green card application after one year of employment in the USA

I have had this clause added to my employment letter

Thanks for the advice
Lee

Steve_

But why would they not want to do it - if the status runs out you have to leave, so you cannot work for them anymore. That's the reason why the status runs out. For example, there is another version of L-1 called: "L-1 intermittent" which is used by cross-border commuters principally which does not have an ultimate expiry date, but to get it you have to convince CBP (or I suppose the State Dept. if you are getting a visa) that you intend to stay in the US less than 183 days a year. You just keep renewing it every 2 years. The point being that they have no intent of staying in the US, so there is no reason why they would need to be sponsored.

Moreover you have to have the intent to carry on working for that employer for the whole green card process to be valid, otherwise it's fraud, basically. Misrepresentation to gain an immigration benefit.

Vimto

That's acceptable and will give you some security of tenure so to speak, all the best with the rest of the terms and conditions of the move.