In this special blog, our Founder, Samarth Desai shares his thoughts about his journey with L1 Visa. We aim to answer all the WHYs, WHATs, HOWs, and WHY NOTs that are running in a person’s mind before and during the process of L1-A. It’s in fact his experiences all through this journey that motivated him to start a whole new business vertical: to help entrepreneurs and business houses with their L1 Visa application process.We’ve put together a few Questions and our Founder gladly obliged with responses that can help you understand what it takes to manage your L1 Visa application process.
Q1) Tell us more about your fears?
I wouldn’t really call them fears. They are more like unanswered questions. Leaving your comfort zone is never easy, especially at the age where I am. This is where how badly what you want comes into play. If the bigger goal is unclear and if you’re not ambitious enough it won’t materialize.
The googly-named immigration, especially with the US is something that will take its toll on you. That process is so messed up that it will give you jitters every time you file for renewal, GC, or any other paperwork. Because you know a rejection here means going back to square one and this happens without any fault of yours. The only thing that kept me going was knowing in my heart that I had good intentions and I did not do anything illegal.
Q2) Can you tell us more about the risks involved, both personally and professionally?
Professionally the way of working shifts 360 from India to the US. The US is a highly organized country and India is an amalgamation of unorganized chaos. They build things to scale and our processes lead us to be nuclear powerhouses. They are process driven and we are people-dependent. Both have their pros and cons be prepared for the transition.
For example, In India, if you assign a job to someone, we first call them in person, explain what they have to do, then ask them what they understood, then mail them what they have to do, then follow up with them for the completion of the tasks till it’s done. In the US, all you do is mail them with clear instructions and your expected timelines. The work will mostly happen.
Personally, it all matters at which age you are making the shift. If you are young and moving with your family the change happens relatively easily. If you are going alone trust me it’s going to be tough if you’re not used to living alone.
Q3) What kept you going during the phase of anxieties and uncertainties?
As mentioned before, the only way to sail through this is to have a very, very clear ‘why’ and a family that supports you all through this journey. Moreover, the thing that I learned the hard way is not to expect miracles because you are going to the US. It’s a dreamland but it will take a fair share of work: the highs and lows before you see the dream taking shape.
The one thing that I repeatedly told myself was I’ve navigated the Indian bureaucracy and its juggernaut how difficult can this country be and this is where you will find things really easy in the US?
Q4) What did you gain during this period or how did this decision make you a better person or an entrepreneur?
The first thing that happened to me during the transition was it humbled me big time. You’ll realize there are many smarter people than you out there doing a lot of wonderful work with resources way less than what we are used to. For example, the comfort of your driver, helper, and office people doing the everyday mundane tasks which you never bother about in India will take up a lot of your time there. Navigating this part of your journey is going to be tough if you are setting up a new office and you are the only person managing everything day in and out.
Work there is pretty organized if you are clear in your goal and instructions. You will find an abundance of resources to achieve it. Make sure you know what you want and communicate it very clearly to your team from day one. However, we in India are not used to this way of working, and making this shift is way tougher than I imagined.
Here’s a quick summary of what all you need to keep in mind throughout your L1 journey:
- Doubts, anxiety, and a hell lot of questions are what dominate your mind while taking the plunge for GC via the L1A process but don’t lose yourself and hold up yourself strong if you want to fulfill your American dream. Honestly, this happens when you don’t have the right partner to guide you through the process. So choose your consultant carefully.
- Keep your ‘why’ very clear. In my case, the ‘why’ for me to go to the US was never about money, it was for a better lifestyle and peace for myself and my next generation.
- Running operations on two continents spaced so far apart is more difficult than we think. I always thought I was running my business till I tried to delegate it. It struck me like lightning that it was the business that was running me. So be clear with how to run your business in your absence.
Hope this this blog helped you in understanding what it really takes to go through the L1 Visa application journey to take your business to the US. Should you have any more specific queries or questions about L1 Visa Journey or the application process, feel free to drop a line on team@amaramaven.com you can also visit our website: www.amaramaven.com to book a free online consultation session.
