The L-1 visa, also referred to as an Intracompany Transferee Visa, allows a multinational corporation based in the U.S. to transfer a qualified executive, manager, or qualified employee from a foreign office to the U.S.

There are two types of L-1 Visa:

●    L-1A Visa: For executives, managers, and high-level organizational personnel

●    L-1B: For employees with specialized knowledge

Sometimes multinational companies need to transfer employees between the U.S. and foreign offices, especially when expanding or starting up a new venture in the U.S. An immigration attorney who has successfully obtained L-1 visas for professionals in different industries can help you file under this visa category when H-1B visas are not available.

L-1A Visa Requirements

Unlike other employment-based visas, the L-1A visa does not require the applicant to complete specific academic credentials or provide a CV. Nor does it require a Labor Certification.

To qualify for an L-1A visa, you must be a senior manager, executive, or other high-level personnel who has worked for the non-U.S. company (or parent company, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office) for at least 12 months in the three years preceding the date that you file your L-1A visa application.

The L-1A visa is granted for two years at a time for a maximum of 7 years, as long as you complete the requirements for an L-1 visa extension. Furthermore, you are eligible to apply for permanent residence through an employment-based green card if you choose.

L-1B Visa Requirements

The sponsoring employer must file an L-1B visa petition on behalf of the employee within the jurisdiction where the immigrant will be working or the company's location. After the employer submits the Form I-129 and L supplement, they will receive a receipt number printed on the approved Form I-129 petition. Next, the employer must complete the Form DS-160 online and schedule a visa interview. Numerous documents must be brought to the visa interview that your immigration attorney will advise you of. They include but are not limited to:

●   Company letterhead

●   Description of company business

●   Stock certificates

●   Corporate income tax return Form 1120 (if any)

●   Employer's Quarterly Report Form 941 (if any)

Once approved, the L-1B visa allows the visa holder to work, live and travel within the U.S. for three years (with a maximum of 5 years). It will also enable dependents to accompany them to the US and pursue a permanent residency path if they wish.

Hire An L-1 Visa Attorney

If you are a startup company or looking to expand, you should consult a legal professional to prevent The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service office (USCIS) from rejecting your L-1A application, which they are notorious for doing for smaller operations. Given the increase in fees for both the H-1B and L-1 visas, this could become very expensive for your company.

Whenever you are dealing with immigration, you should consult a L-1 VISA Lawyer. The visa application process may be complicated and difficult for those who don't work in the field, and mistakes on your application can cause it to be denied. ​​In truth, these mistakes are easy to make unless you have a qualified, experienced immigration attorney helping you successfully get immigrant visas for qualified workers.