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 not 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

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The Company abroad and the Company in the U.S. must be legally related, either because of ownership, affiliation, or a joint venture.
4. 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.

1. Article of incorporation, company purchase agreement;
2. U.S. company’s Lease or deed, office building plan, construction contract for the new office, Corporate bank statements, tax returns, or financial statements.
3. Foreign Company’s bank statements, Financial Statements, Payroll Statements, brochure etc.
4. Applicant’s certificate of employment in foreign company, Wages records.

1. Gather Documents ;
2. Attorney Evaluation;
3. Sign representative Agreement;
4. Establish U.S. Company if none exist;
5. Attorney prepare and Submit I-129 to USCIS; Usually takes two to four month for approval;
6. I-797 approval notice received.
7. Consulate visa interview.