This is the story of an L1 Visa. I will try to make it short, although some details have to be explained to be believed…
In August of 2011 I thought of starting a US subsidiary of my software company in the USA, so I decided to move to New York to start it up and manage it. Since I needed a visa (form I-129) to live and work in the USA, I contacted an immigration lawyer (form G-28 and thousands of dollars) through a friend, and we started the whole process.
Some hypocritical and absurd questions found in the DS-160 form, needed to get a US Visa:
Do you have a mental or physical disorder that poses or is likely to pose a threat to the safety or welfare of yourself or others? Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict? Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances?
Due to my US Visa process (which was soooo long and curious that it requires a separate post), I have been “stuck” in Ottawa (Canada) for a week.
Sure, Canada would not be one of my priority travel destinations in the winter, particularly if (like me) you cant ski or ice skate. But since I am here, lets make the best of it: The National Gallery, Museum of Civilizations, Museum of War, Winterlude, and a few lovely food places (such as The Tea Store, Memories, or Oh So Good) and a bunch of mediocre ones, while staying in a very nice hotel/castle (with heated indoors pool and gym), will do the trick 😉
On Monday, I met the Chief Information Officer of a large US Government Administration in Washington DC.
His office was surprisingly small and functional compared to European “big government” offices. A nice reminder of how European bureaucracy and public sector spending in administration itself is burying us. But what caught my attention the most was the largest picture in the office: it was not Obama`s, a diploma, a family picture, a flag… it was this:
A few days ago, in a meeting at the Setai Hotel in NY, Michael (with over 3 decades of experience working with US and Spanish corporations) perfectly described what is like to do business between the USA and Spain:
A struggle between American arrogance and Spanish pride
Embarrassing. We should all be ashamed. At least we can access his words.
After 36 years of democracy, [Spain] is the second country in the world with the most “disappeared” after Cambodia
Source Regional President Camps free, the Duke Urdangarín seems like is not going to be punished… and judge Garzon being judged. And you ask me why I say I am “European” rather than “Spaniard” or “Valencian”?
