L1b Post Travel - Important Information

Bank

If you are traveling for first time ,then you need to open a bank account in US,bank with these

• Chase
• Bank of America
• Capital one

** Give address as in your passport for the first time and as soon as you receive any government mails to your mailing address in US,you can use your mailing address as Credit card/debit card address

• These banks need to see your passport only as the proof and would let you open your checking account (without minimum balance), if it is a direct deposit.
• Ask for the routing number and the code for wire transfer

Cash

The ATM's dispense cash and you need to have a basic of atleast 300$ cash in hand,including small denominations to meet day to day expenses,you can use the checks for buying.

as the banks take atleast 5 to 7 business days to send the debit card to your mailing address

SSN

• Apply for SSN atleast after 12 days from the date you land,go to nearest SSA office,show your passport/deputation letter and fill a simple form.The SSN is essential for any important work,taking lease,buying postpaid (you need an iphone4 don't you??? ) and so on
• You will receive the SSN in 5 to 7 days at your mailing address and don't throw away the mailing cover with your address as it serves the purpose of address proof
• If you are changing the address in US,you need to fill an AR-11 form(google it) for your safety

When you go out,

• Go in groups after 11 pm
• Take your passport and I94 with you
• Try to get SSN number but never carry the card with you

For short term,

• You can take the Metro PCS or the T-mobile prepaid avalailable at your nearest Radioshack shop or retailer shop.
• You cannot buy only sim card in some locations and have to buy a phone with prepaid cards
• You don't really need an SSN unless you are going to stay for more than 45 days

For your safety,

• Avoid brawls and sharp replies
• Show courtesy
• Report to the police before you take any action

Finally,take an Insurance plan that suits you.

L1b I94

So,you got your L1 visa (and also the L2 visa for your spouse)

You have taken a very long journey and landed in your dream country ,however there is one final step for you to walk the street,

Your landing flight./transit flight in U.S gives you a form to fill (Called I94).

If not,ask for it and the cabin crew will give it to you,take assistance from the fellow passengers.

One common question is if you take 2-3 transit flights and your original embarkation flight number is different from the current flight number as you are arriving in US,then always fill the current flight number you are in.Also ,write the transit location as the country arriving from ....

The cabin crew will advise you to either collect the baggage before or after your Emigration check.

The US emigration department has counters in all major port of entries in US and you should stand in line with all your documents and the transfer letter/deputation letter to US ,with your stamped passport (Along with spouse's)

There you would be asked the standard questions that were asked to you during your Visa interview and may call your manager in US/primary contact as the need be.

The Emigration officer will tear the I94 bottom slip and write your visa validity and staple it to your passport.

Check all details before you leave the counter,if the date is different from your visa date..check with him again

Whatever the emigration officer writes is the final word (even if your visa stamp says 3 years and if the Emigration officer decides it is 2 years,then so be it),you will be allowed to stay for 2 years only.

L1b Interview Questions

Generally the following questions can be expected,the interview would be a breeze if you practice well (that too with your family)

• What will you do in the US ?
• Describe your job responsibilities in the US?
• Why are you chosen to go to the US,doesn't your company have others to choose from ?
• Who is your client?
• What work do you do for your client ?
• What specialized knowledge do you possess to work with him ?
• What is the number of years you worked in this process/tool/technology/domain ?
• What is your total experience in your job area ?
• Since when have you been working for the company ?
• Who will manage you in US?
• Will you get offshore salary?
• Where are you going to stay in US ?
• Is your manager also in US ?
• What is your primary contact and how is he related to you ?
• Why cannot you do the work from your native country why do you need to travel to US ?
• Can your manager fire you,if so ,what will you do in US after the action ?
• Who is going to pay you for your work in US ?
• How long are you expecting the stay in US (if the project ends earlier like 1 year,what will you do)?

Questions for L2 visa

• When did you get married ?
• When did you meet your spouse for the first time ? Are you related to each other ?
• Do you have kids?
• Can i see your marriage album ?
• Can i see your spouse's payslips?
• When is your spouse's birthday?
• Do you have kids?
• What are their names (if you have)?
• Thier birthdays (if you have)?
• Are you going to work in US (fundamental question - Always say '*NO*')[you can always get an I765 Employment authorization document ,if the L2 Dependant wants to work]

L1b So what docs do you need ?

Documents you are going to need

• I-797 form- ask your parent company
• I-129- A US attorney would give this petition to your company
• Your certificates (xerox copies) from schooling- graduation
• A letter describing your company's business on company's letter head
• Your previous work experience letters,relieving letters
• Your latest resume
• 2 US style passport photographs (2 in*2in) on white background showing your head clearly without spectacles
• Demand Draft for the Visa consulate fees
• US fraud detection fee of 500$ paid in DD (if in India,use HDFC dd ,prices have been changed recently.)
• Application fee for 185$
• Passport that is in a very good condition without the lamination damage and should be valid for 6 more months
• Birth certificate
• Your bank statements for 6 months
• Your payslips for 6 months(alteast last 3 months)
• Your US manager's email,phone number
• Your US office email,phone number
• Deputation letter to US

If you are married,you need to carry the following documents for your spouse for L2

• Passport valid for 6 more months than the visa filing date
• Photo album covering entire marriage ceremony (15 photographs)
• Marriage invitation cards (to be translated in English)
• Marriage certificate
• Spouse (your) bank statements
• Your wife needs to know where you work in US and which place,your primary contact in US and the place you both are going to stay
• 2 US style passport photographs (2 in*2in) on white background showing your head clearly without spectacles

For your children (Dependant minor)

• Birth certificate
• School certificate of study
• Recent marksheets/school fee reciepts
• 2 US style passport photographs (2 in*2in) on white background showing your head clearly without spectacles

L1b Blanket visa

A company can sponsor L1b-blanket to its employees if it has

250m$ business

Been in US since 3 years

A US company strength of atleast 1k employees

Atleast 3 offices (US + Native country of company)

Blanket visa can be obtained in 4-6 weeks,you will need an I-797 to file directly,ask your company for more details

L1b Fee

L1 b Fee

• 500$ for Fraud detection
• 185$ for I-129
• No visa fee for L2-Dependant

L1b Tenure of Visa

L1b Tenure of Visa

• Your visa if approved,is valid for 3 years from the date of filing the petition.(Not the date of issue)
• It can be extended for 2 more years on expiry of the first term visa
• You should take a break of 1 year if you are reapplying after 5 year term

Important point to Note:

Your parent company that is sponsoring your visa should be operating in the U.S for atleast an year if you are trying for L1b - blanket visa