L1 to L2 with EAD

[Palamon]

I work with company A and my wife works with company B in the US - both on L1 visas. I want to switch to company C.

1. If I apply for an L2 visa (dependent on my wife) and then for an EAD, can I switch to company C?

2. Do I have to leave the US to get this done?

3. What will be the time required for i) the L2 and ii) the EAD?

4. Let's say this process takes x months. During this time, will my current company A get to know that I have applied for an L2 and EAD? How long can I continue to work with company A before I have to divulge this?

Thanks in advance.

[shervin143]

1. If I apply for an L2 visa (dependent on my wife) and then for an EAD, can I switch to company C?
>>> Yes.

2. Do I have to leave the US to get this done?
>>> No. You can apply for a COS to L2. You can apply EAD along with the COS.

3. What will be the time required for i) the L2 and ii) the EAD?
>>> Somewhere between 2-6 months.

4. Let's say this process takes x months. During this time, will my current company A get to know that I have applied for an L2 and EAD?
>>> No.

How long can I continue to work with company A before I have to divulge this?
>>> Until your L2 gets approved. You cannot work with Company A even for a single day after your L2 gets approved since you will no longer be in L1 status.

[Palamon]

Thanks for the answers shervin143.

Once I have changed my status from L1 to L2 and taken up a job with an EAD, I belief my status will depend 100% on my wife's L1 status.

Under such circumstances, let's say my wife takes a leave without pay in her company. Will her L1 status stay intact?

In general, what constitutes the set of reasons for which her L1 might stand cancelled? [I'm trying to ascertain the risk in this strategy]

[shervin143]

If a person is on L1 or H1B status, then they need to have pay slips to maintain their status. Long vacations without pay is not acceptable by USCIS these days. They will consider the person to be out of status in that case. If the person on L1 is out of status, then automatically L2 goes out of status too. In which case your employment will become illegal.

[Palamon]

I understand. Thank you.

What are the costs involved in COS from L1 to L2 and getting the EAD? Can you mention costs+timelines for normal as well as premium processing please? To make it simpler, here's a template I'm requesting you to fill:

Regular Processing

COS L2 Cost - Time -
EAD Cost - Time -

Premium Processing

COS L2 Cost - Time -
EAD Cost - Time -

Also, since you've said that I can apply for COS and EAD at the same time, I'm assuming the timelines for the two will overlap.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[shervin143]

Regular Processing

COS L2 Cost - Time -
$300. Check these links
/show-form/i-539


EAD Cost - Time -
Check or money order for $180 as of Oct 26, 2005. It takes about 2 - 4 months.

Premium Processing

COS L2 Cost - Time -
EAD Cost - Time -

There is no premium processing service available for either of these. Primium processing is available only for the primary petition like H1B, L1 etc.

[mrshawkini]

I understand. Thank you.

What are the costs involved in COS from L1 to L2 and getting the EAD? Can you mention costs+timelines for normal as well as premium processing please? To make it simpler, here's a template I'm requesting you to fill:

Regular Processing

COS L2 Cost - Time -
EAD Cost - Time -

Premium Processing

COS L2 Cost - Time -
EAD Cost - Time -

Also, since you've said that I can apply for COS and EAD at the same time, I'm assuming the timelines for the two will overlap.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Did you do the COS and EAD? My husband and I are in a similar situation - We are both on L1 visas with our children L2 on my L1. He was made redundant today and so for him to work, we need to do the COS and EAD, it would be good to hear your experience if you went through this.

[mrcoolbuddy]

EAD cost - check or money order of $380.