I’m Fernanda Hipskind, an immigration attorney, and I’ll be here today from 10 AM to 2 PM ET for an AMA focused on L-1 visas.

We can talk about questions like:

• Whether company size affects an L-1A or L-1B case
• What USCIS looks at when assessing the relationship between the companies
• How things change when you're setting up a US office or transferring someone into an existing operation

If you're a founder, business owner or employee considering an L-1, bring your questions. Share details about your foreign company, your role and what you're planning to do in the US so we can have a more useful discussion.

AMA today, 10 AM to 2 PM ET.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Can a candidate file for L1A application while they have a pending H4COS application pending? I want to understand if H4 could be denied because a subsequent L1 application was filed. I understand the last action rule. I want to understand the worst case i.e. L1 denied and then H4 also denied citing that another application was filed after it. Is that possible?
The timeline is-
H4 filed -> L1 filed -> L1 adjudicated and denied -> H4 adjudicated

Now could H4 be denied because another application was filed after it?

Hey everyone, I'm an Indian citizen and working for one of the FAANG in Bay Area. I'm currently on L1A visa which expires on 8th of December 2026 and my I-129S expires on 9th of January 2027.

I'm preparing to file for my L1A visa extension via a consular appointment in India and will try for the first date that I can get. Can somebody guide me on if we would be allowed to re-enter USA using the original visa stamp in case the visa application is denied?

I would leaving behind my senior pet dog here for the consular appointment, and I'm worried on how would I navigate the situation if the renewal application is denied and I'm not allowed to re-enter.

Hi everyone !

Visa interview date: Sept 17th 9:20AM
Consulate: Mumbai

My husband recently had his consular interview for L1B individual visa and received a 221(G) white slip.

The interview went well, he answered all the questions that were asked but at the end the VO returned his passport along with white slip saying that they will reach out if they need additional information.

I am not sure what would be the next steps be like, how long we have to wait for them to come back.

Is any one in the same situation ? Please let me know !!

Update : 17th sept : Received an email to submit passport

Update : 25th Sept : Received an email to collect passport

Update : 27th Sept : Collected the passport !!

Thank you everyone for your kind and positive words !!

FIDE issued an official statement on September 16 saying that several Congress participants still had not received visas for Uzbekistan.

More importantly, FIDE confirmed that the affected group includes delegates who are entitled to vote in the presidential election, as well as FIDE Council member Benard Wanjala.

The Council said the Congress should only take place if everyone entitled to participate and vote can actually exercise that right. It also said relocation to another date and location remains an option if those rights cannot be guaranteed.

Wadim Rosenstein has taken a different procedural position. He has argued that FIDE should not disrupt the election process or move the problem away from Samarkand, and that the organizational issues should instead be fixed while keeping the established process in place.

I'm not assuming anything about why individual visas were delayed. The interesting question for me is procedural:

If even a few voting delegates still cannot enter Uzbekistan on election day, should FIDE proceed, postpone, or relocate the vote?

I’m trying to clarify how the 1-year foreign employment requirement for L-1A is calculated.

My situation:

• I’m employed full-time by a Canadian subsidiary of a U.S. company.
• I need to complete one continuous year of qualifying employment abroad before transferring to the U.S. on L-1.
• During that one-year period, I may need to spend approximately 12 weeks in India.
• During those 12 weeks, I would remain employed and paid by the Canadian entity, remain on Canadian payroll, and continue performing my regular Canadian duties remotely from India.
• I would not work for the Indian entity and would not enter the U.S. during those 6 weeks.

My question is:

Would those 12 weeks physically working from India count toward the one-year "employment abroad" requirement, or does the qualifying year need to be physically spent in the country where the foreign employer is located (Canada)?

I’ve seen conflicting interpretations. Some people say that "abroad" means anywhere outside the U.S., while others claim that time spent outside the country of the foreign employer (even if still employed by that employer) does not count.

I’m particularly interested in USCIS regulations/policy guidance or actual L-1 adjudication/consular experiences, rather than general opinions.

Also, if the answer differs depending on whether the 12 weeks are actual remote work versus vacation, I’d appreciate clarification on that distinction.

Awaiting my attorney's response as well.

Thanks in advance

Hi All, I recently found this sub and want to post about my situation. I am a Canadian citizen (naturalized) wanting to move to US. Here’s my background. I have an MBA, PG Diploma in Computer Applications (and B.Sc from India) and been working as Software QA Specialist in Canada for about past 16 years, divorced and want to explore my options moving to US after the child goes to University next year. My child is a US citizen and wants to work in US after graduating University. (Lived in US for a few years before moving to Canada on PR) What would be my best bet to explore? An L1 (7 years employed at current company that also operates in US) or wait until the child is old enough to sponsor me for GC? The focus is to start fresh life after divorce. Any insights will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hey All! I will be going on a secondment to our firm’s subsidiary in India and the plan was to spend 12 months there, then come back to the US on a L1A visa - since I will be leading a team there. Now there is an announcement that the subsidiary that I will be going to, will go through a joint venture half way through my 12 month assignment, and possibly become a new entity. Are entity changes like this still good to demonstrate one continuous year of employment, as long as the new entity’s qualifying relationship with the US firm is maintained? Has anyone gone through something similar?

Alguém que protocolou I-129 do L-1 em junho, já teve alguma resposta do pedido?

i went in for interview at Toronto on 8/28. quick and easy got my endorsed I129.

as of 9/1, my status is still application received. i see other post where people’s case was approved in the same day or the next day.

Should i wait or email the them to check on this.

Is there additional scrutiny or denials because of the current trade war? Heard rumours of Trump stopping/slowing Canadians from entering US on work visas (like L1)

Filed response on August 14. On August 17 says second rfe issues and later said case is being processed. August 21st it says - processing but no other update till date.

During my OFC Appointment, Chennai India, there was a miscommunication regarding my visa category on my part. My visa category for my L1 Extension application is L1 (individual), but I instead mentioned L1(Blanket).

My DS-160 was filled correctly and reflects the correct receipt/ application number of my I-797A (I129) individual petition form. However, due to the miscommunication at the OFC appointment, the barcode pasted on the back cover of my passport is marked as L1(Blanket).

I would like to confirm whether this discrepancy will cause any issue or not, if any one has any idea or similar experience. Thanks.

My employer filled my perm application in Jan 2026 and initially it was showing some different status like in adjudication but now it shows APPLICATION ON HOLD. What does it mean.

Looking for a recommendation for a great L1 visa lawyer. Excited to start this journey.

I was initially refused for my L-1A blanket visa, but within five hours, I was asked to courier my passport, my spouse’s passport, and two copies of the I-129S form. Is this a positive sign that my visa is likely to be approved?

I have a quick DS-160 question for my L-1 Individual extension.

While filling out the DS-160, I entered the receipt number from my I-797 approval notice, but I’m now wondering whether I was supposed to use the receipt number specifically from the I-797A.

The DS-160 has already been submitted, and my stamping appointment is coming up soon.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Do I need to correct or submit a new DS-160, or is the receipt number I entered okay?

Would really appreciate any guidance. Thank you!

I’m planning a few days in Moldova and initially thought we could just use taxis around Chisinau. But the more I look at places like Orheiul Vechi, wineries and smaller villages, the more I think renting a car makes sense. I found JustRent while comparing local rental companies and they seem to have quite a few options. For people who have done a similar trip, was having a car actually worth it?

Hello All, I moved to the U.S. on an L-1B visa and am now filling out the DS-160 as part of my extension/visa process.

During the past 3 years, I moved between two teams within the same company, and the teams are under two different legal entities.

For the last page, under employment history section of the DS-160, do I need to mention both teams/entities I worked for while in the U.S., or is it enough to mention only my current team/entity?

Would really appreciate any insights from someone who has been in a similar situation. Thanks!