10-24-2001, 04:49 PM
Can anyone help? I was employed on a L1 but got canned today. I've just been through the green card medical. How long can I stay in the US without a job, before I must leave.
Thanks
Alex
Thanks
Alex
10-24-2001, 04:49 PM
10-24-2001, 05:01 PM
Sory to hear your bad news. My only advice would be to contact an immigration attorney, I'm sure they would give you some free advice over the phone.
10-24-2001, 05:03 PM
Sorry to hear that, we went through a RIF a few months back...still here though.
Regarding visa's, they changed the laws so that I believe a H1 is transferable to a new employer, I'm not sure about an L1.
There were several expats riffed here, if I recall they were kept on the books for a while such that they could job hunt and the INS clock didn't start ticking. Are you out now, here they put these folks on LOA as part of the severance package even though they were no longer coming into the office.
It may be worth a consulation with an immigration attorney, the cost probably wouldn't be great...they know what you can and can't do.
Regarding visa's, they changed the laws so that I believe a H1 is transferable to a new employer, I'm not sure about an L1.
There were several expats riffed here, if I recall they were kept on the books for a while such that they could job hunt and the INS clock didn't start ticking. Are you out now, here they put these folks on LOA as part of the severance package even though they were no longer coming into the office.
It may be worth a consulation with an immigration attorney, the cost probably wouldn't be great...they know what you can and can't do.
10-24-2001, 05:27 PM
Sorry to hear the bad news...
I think your best bet would be to speak to an attorney. You will get accurate and pertinent advice.
Andrew =)
I think your best bet would be to speak to an attorney. You will get accurate and pertinent advice.
Andrew =)
10-24-2001, 05:54 PM
Sorry to hear about it all.
My husband got laid off in March, he was on an L1. His situation is probably different from you as he had the right to stay here as my husband (I also had an L1). But I can tell you what the lawyer told us. (Of course you should speak to your lawyer as everyone is suggesting).
She told us the L1 is not transferable like the H1B is. Also if you are laid off at any point in the Green Card process you have to start again from scratch. Maybe if you have already have the I-140 approved and have work authorization, this is not the case. We went through Consular Porcessing, so I don't know about adjustment of status.
We asked if he needed to get out of the country quick to change his status. (We had visions of driving off to Mexico). She said no, as long as a change of status was filed. (May not be an option in your case). She did say that L-1's tend to get treated better than H1B, in other words they go after H1B's out of status before they go after L1. Don't know if that is true.
Did your company offer to help you out with an immigration lawyer? I am just interested because my husband got nothing from his & was told he was on his own.
Good Luck. let us know how you get on.
My husband got laid off in March, he was on an L1. His situation is probably different from you as he had the right to stay here as my husband (I also had an L1). But I can tell you what the lawyer told us. (Of course you should speak to your lawyer as everyone is suggesting).
She told us the L1 is not transferable like the H1B is. Also if you are laid off at any point in the Green Card process you have to start again from scratch. Maybe if you have already have the I-140 approved and have work authorization, this is not the case. We went through Consular Porcessing, so I don't know about adjustment of status.
We asked if he needed to get out of the country quick to change his status. (We had visions of driving off to Mexico). She said no, as long as a change of status was filed. (May not be an option in your case). She did say that L-1's tend to get treated better than H1B, in other words they go after H1B's out of status before they go after L1. Don't know if that is true.
Did your company offer to help you out with an immigration lawyer? I am just interested because my husband got nothing from his & was told he was on his own.
Good Luck. let us know how you get on.
10-27-2001, 12:18 PM
Wow - how long had you been working there?
The LOA is a good idea as it talking to a lawyer. I find lawyers are very helpful and great value for money.
Good luck.
The LOA is a good idea as it talking to a lawyer. I find lawyers are very helpful and great value for money.
Good luck.
10-29-2001, 10:58 PM
Thanks for all the replies. Still looking for jobs and will update you on what I find out re the L1 position.
11-05-2001, 10:13 AM
sorry to hear your news.
good luck with finding new employment.
good luck with finding new employment.
12-02-2001, 11:30 PM
Alex,
Bad luck and many commiserations - exactly the same has happened to me. My immigration lawyer told me I needed to get an H1B application in process by the last valid day of my L1, and fortunately I had some warning that my L1 would not be renewed so have set up my own company, through which vehicle my husband has successfully obtained an H1B and I am applying for mine.
I thought that I could stay on for up to 180 days without any penalty, (after 180 days you can't reenter the US for 3 years) but my visa lawyer advised against this course of action.
See if your employer will keep you on the books as it were until you can get a visa application in.
Good luck
Janet
Bad luck and many commiserations - exactly the same has happened to me. My immigration lawyer told me I needed to get an H1B application in process by the last valid day of my L1, and fortunately I had some warning that my L1 would not be renewed so have set up my own company, through which vehicle my husband has successfully obtained an H1B and I am applying for mine.
I thought that I could stay on for up to 180 days without any penalty, (after 180 days you can't reenter the US for 3 years) but my visa lawyer advised against this course of action.
See if your employer will keep you on the books as it were until you can get a visa application in.
Good luck
Janet