L-1A/ L-1B

The L-1, intracompany transferee visa allows certain Managers, Executives or Workers to transfer from a Company abroad to a U.S Branch or Subsidiary Office. 

Where no U.S Office is in existence, the L-1 rules allow for the transferee to utilize the L-1 visa to establish a New Office on behalf of the Parent Company abroad.

Two subcategories exist for the L-1 visa:  (1) L-1A visas for intracompany Managers and Executives; and (2) L-1B visas for individuals with specialized knowledge or skill.

Blanket L-1 Visas are available to certain multinational companies that have at least ten L-1 visas approved in the past year; sales of at least $25 million  or employ at least 1,000 workers in the United States.   The Blanket Authorization will serve to expedite the L-1 visa processing for the transferees of these qualifying Companies.

There are three essential criteria that must be established to qualify an alien for an L-1 transfer.

First, the Worker must have been employed for at least one year in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity during the three years preceding the transfer.

Second, the Worker must be coming to a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position in the U.S., although not necessarily the same position as the Worker held abroad.

Third, the Company abroad and the Company in the U.S. must be legally related, either because of ownership, affiliation, or a joint venture.

Persons coming to open up a new office in the US will be granted a one-year stay in the U.S. The USCIS will also typically require additional information about the plans for the new office such as proof that office space has been obtained, that the applicant has had the appropriate experience with the foreign company and that the foreign company will remain in existence during the full period of the applicant's transfer to the US.

Duration of Visa:

A new office L-1 visa is valid for one year. For an employee with specialized knowledge working for a  Company that has been in business in the United States for one year or longer, the initial visa validity is up to three year with a two-year extension, for a total of up to five years, and up to seven years for an Executive or Manager transferee.

Dependents:

The spouse and children (not yet 21 years of age) of the L-1 alien are eligible for L-2 status. L-2 spouses are eligible for a work permits.

Contact:

Our Firm specializes in the L-1 visa. We have handled hundreds of applications from Family held small businesses interested in testing the waters in the U.S to Large Public Companies with significant presence to everything in-between. The L-1 visa category is one of the most flexible and popular Business visa options, however, The U.S Immigration Department reviews these applications carefully due to the high risk of fraud. Our Office prides itself on providing in depth advice to our clients on the proper procedures and steps that companies and transferees need to take in order to comply with the strict Immigration requirements. You are invited to Contact us to discuss your visa needs with an immigration lawyer, your first consultation is free. 

 Tel:               1-213-384-1900
 Toll free:      1-800-971-7013
 E-Mail:          info@darrensilver.com