1

Assuming one is employed on a L-1B visa, how long would it take for them to receive a Green Card? And how long before they are able to initiate the Green Card process?

1

1 Answer 1

3

The two have nothing to do with each other. L1 is a nonimmigrant visa. It has nothing to do with the process of getting permanent residency.

To become a permanent resident through an employment-based category, the employer must petition you (there are certain subcategories that can self-petition). You working for an employer on L1, H1b, or any other status does not mean they will ever petition you to immigrate. An employer could petition you as soon as they want, or after as long a period as they want, or never at all.

And if an employer decides to petition you, there is no requirement for you to be in any particular status. You could be in the US in L1, H1b, F1, B2, or any other status, or you could be not in the US at all, when they petition you. The only requirement is that the employer offers to employ you once you become a permanent resident; there is no requirement that you currently work, or have ever worked, for that employer.

6
  • So how many years does it take once initiated? Apr 1, 2018 at 2:05
  • @JonathanReez: Depending on the particular category and your country of birth, there may or may nor be a several-year wait for visa numbers.
    – user102008
    Apr 1, 2018 at 2:18
  • Is there a site where I can find the wait times per country of birth? Apr 1, 2018 at 2:27
  • Is it really dependant on country of birth, or is it actually country of citizenship? (I am pretty sure I know the answer, but many people seem to use the terms loosely and virtually interchangeably, so it probably makes sense to be extra precise.)
    – phoog
    Apr 1, 2018 at 2:31
  • @phoog: it's country of birth, not nationality
    – user102008
    Apr 1, 2018 at 2:37

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.