L Intra-Company Transfer Visa Services

 
 

The L visa category allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates to their U.S.-based offices. This visa is available under two classifications:

  • L-1A Visa: For executives or managers being transferred to the U.S.

  • L-1B Visa: For employees with specialized knowledge.

Both visa classifications have distinct eligibility criteria and durations of stay, and they serve to strengthen the operations of multinational businesses within the U.S. and abroad.

The L-1 visa classification also benefits foreign companies looking to expand their operations into the U.S. by establishing a new office. The L-1A visa can be used to bring in senior-level executives to oversee the establishment of the new business entity.

Eligibility Criteria for L-1 Visa

To qualify for an L-1 visa, both the employer and the employee must meet specific requirements:

  • For the Employee (Beneficiary):

    • Must have worked for the foreign branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or parent company for at least one year within the last three years prior to the application.

    • For L-1A Visa: Must be employed in a managerial or executive capacity, overseeing a significant portion of the business’s functions or managing other employees.

    • For L-1B Visa: Must possess specialized knowledge, which means understanding specific aspects of the company’s products, services, research, equipment, techniques, or management that are essential to the business.

  • For the Employer:

    • The U.S. entity and the foreign entity must have a qualifying relationship (branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate).

    • Both the U.S. and foreign entities must be financially viable and engaged in active business.

    • The U.S. office must have the capacity to support the role of the employee, particularly in the case of new offices.

L-1 Visa Duration

  • L-1A Visa: Initially granted for up to three years, with extensions available for up to a total of seven years.

  • L-1B Visa: Initially granted for up to three years, with extensions available for up to a total of five years.

For employees establishing a new U.S. office, the initial L-1 visa is granted for one year, with extensions available as the business grows.

Blanket L Petition

A Blanket L petition allows multinational companies to establish the qualifying relationship between their foreign and U.S. entities in advance. This streamlines the process of transferring eligible employees by allowing them to apply directly for an L visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy without the need to file individual L petitions with USCIS.

Companies with blanket approval can transfer qualifying employees to the U.S. on short notice, making the process more efficient and flexible for large corporations with frequent transfers.

Why Choose Sharma Law Associates for L-1 Visa Services?

The L-1 visa process can be complex, requiring detailed documentation and establishing qualifying relationships between entities. At Sharma Law Associates, our team assists both employers and employees through each step of the L-1 process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. Our services include:

  • Comprehensive assessment of the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities.

  • Guidance on eligibility requirements for executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge.

  • Assistance with gathering and filing the necessary documentation for the L-1 visa petition.

  • Support for visa interviews at U.S. Consulates after visa approval.

We provide expert guidance to ensure that each petition has the best chance for approval, whether you are transferring employees to an existing office or establishing a new office in the U.S.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • The L-1A visa is for executives or managers being transferred to the U.S., while the L-1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge about the company’s products, processes, or operations.

  • Yes, L-1A visa holders (executives or managers) have a faster path to a Green Card through the EB-1C employment-based immigrant visa category. L-1B visa holders may also apply for a Green Card, but they typically need to go through the PERM labor certification process.

  • A Blanket L Petition allows multinational companies to pre-establish the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities, enabling them to transfer employees more quickly without filing individual L petitions with USCIS.

  • Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you to the U.S. on an L-2 visa. Spouses on an L-2 visa are eligible to apply for work authorization in the U.S.

  • Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the case and USCIS workload. Premium processing is available, which expedites the processing time to 15 business days.

  • Yes, the L-1A visa can be extended for up to a total of seven years, and the L-1B visa can be extended for up to a total of five years. However, for new offices, the visa is initially granted for one year, with the possibility of extensions.

  • After reaching the maximum stay (seven years for L-1A or five years for L-1B), the visa holder must either leave the U.S. or transition to another visa category, such as a Green Card.

  • The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer their employees across borders efficiently and offers dual intent, meaning L-1 visa holders can apply for permanent residency (Green Card) without affecting their L-1 status.