Kevin Keane

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Home All FAQs Working Visas H-1B and L-1 I am currently working in L-1 status and want to change jobs. What do I need to know?

I am currently working in L-1 status and want to change jobs. What do I need to know?

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There are a few important things to be aware of.

  • This is a change of status rather than a transfer. Thus, you are not eligible to start working for the new employer until the petition is actually approved. You can quit your old job as soon as the H-1B petition is filed and spend some time travelling the USA, and would then be considered to be in "pending" status. Of course, you can also leave the USA and wait for approval of the H-1B in your home country (or any other country).
  • The six year limit on H-1B counts time spent in L-1 status (as well as time in L-2 and H-4 status, and a few more). So you may only have a few years left.
  • The qualifications needed for L-1 and H-1B are subtly different. In particular, it is possible to get an L-1 without a college degree, while an H-1B will require a degree.
 

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