L1 Visa - Overview

The L- 1 visa is for Intracompany Transferee employees either Executives or Manager or those with specialized knowledge. This visa enables multinational companies to expand their operations by transferring qualified staff to newly established or existing United States subsidiary, affiliate parent or branch office.

Deploy Now

USA L1 Business Visa for Business Owners and Employees

    Ability to live and work in USA

    Extended Period of stay

    Dual Intent visa

    No Set wage requirements

    Immigration Benefits for your family.

    L1 Visa is Eligible for Premium Processing

    No Annual Limit to Number of L1 Visas Issued

L-1 visas are classified under two categories

L-1A visa – Applicable for managers and executives

This visa can be obtained for maximum of 7 years and after the visa has expired, the individual can qualify for the status of L-1 only after working overseas for minimum one year for the subsidiary, parent, branch or affiliate of the company in US.

L-1B visa – Applicable for workers with specialized knowledge

This visa can be obtained for maximum of 5 years. Upon its expiry, applicant can apply again only after working abroad for the U.S Company’s subsidiary, branch, affiliate or parent for a minimum of 1 year.

Eligibility for USA L- 1 Business Visa – Requirements for Employee – L-1A

    The employee should have worked with overseas company for a minimum period of one continuous year within 3 years prior to his/her admission to the States.

    Employee must have been given the managerial or executive position in order to qualify.

    Employee must be going to the States in order to provide his/her services in a managerial or executive capacity for qualifying organizations such as a branch of the employer.

Requirements for Employee L-1B

Deploy Now

    The employee must have worked overseas for a company for a minimum period of one continuous year within 3 years prior to his/her admission to the States.

    The employee will be serving his specialized services to the qualifying organization

    Visa holder must go with an intention to leave the country after completion of work.

    The holder of this visa must go with an intention to depart the country after completion of the stay.

Key Aspects for USA L1 Business

The U.S Company petitioning for the visa must have a qualifying relationship with the parent company.

There must be enough space for office location (if applicable).

For the entire period of the visa holder’s stay in the States, the company that petitioned for this visa must be engaged in business as an employer in the States and a minimum of one other country

Step by Step Process to Apply for US Visa from Dubai

1

Business Model Preparation

2

Business Registration & Setup (applicable if there is no existing business in US as per required criteria)

3

Application Preparation

4

File Form I-129 and L supplement at USCIS

5

Change Status to apply for L1 visa at consulate office

6

Start working & managing US business.

L1 Visa to Green Card

The L-1 Visa is a non immigrant visa category with dual intent and does not directly lead to a green card. L – 1 visa to a green card can be applied either through an adjustment of status or apply through an immigrant visa abroad.

Path to Green Card:

    EB1C Green card for multinational managers & executives

    Work sponsorship

    EB5 Investment based immigrant visa and green card

    Marriage (Spouse Sponsorship)

Contact Us

Family & Dependent of L-1 Visa Holder

Spouses and children (Under age 21/Unmarried status) of L-1A visa holders can be granted L-2 dependent status. L -2 Visa provides work authorization upon filing and approval.

Deploy Now

L-1 Visa Overview in case US establishment already exists.

So to apply for the L1 visa, you will need to go through the following steps in case of US establishment already in place.

    Get a transfer offer.

    Filing Form I-129.

    Employer must pay the fees.

    File Form DS-160.

    Pay the L1 visa application fee.

    Schedule your L1 visa interview.

    Submit your L1 visa documents.

    Attend your interview.

L-1 Visa Overview when US establishment is not in place… (Investment starts from $100,000)

    Detailed Business Plan

    Incorporate the company

    Obtain a taxpayer ID

    Number secure a bank account.

    Get a transfer offer

    Submit your L1 visa documents.

    Employer must pay the fees.

    Schedule your L1 visa interview.

    Pay the L1 visa application fee..

    File Form DS-160.

    Filing Form I-129.

    Attend your interview.

The visa is usually granted initially for 3 years and extensions are granted in 2years increments up to the 5 years maximum.
The family members of L-1 A and L-1 B visa holders, specifically spouses and unmarried children under 21 are automatically granted L-2 Visas.
An L-2 spouse can apply for a work Permit in US and work. L-2 Children are not able to apply for work permits, but they can attend school full time on L–2 visas.

Frequently Asked Questions

An L-1 visa holder can transfer employment or change jobs but only to another location with the same company, or to another affiliated company in the United States. A new petition would have to be filed in such a situation. However, if you want to work for a completely different company other than the one that sponsored your L-1 visa, you would have to change your status to a different kind of non-immigrant work visa such as H-1B

Similar to the H-1B Visa the L-1 Visa is actually a “dual intent” visa which does in fact allow an L-1 visa holder and their dependents to apply for permanent residency without jeopardizing their status. L-1A visa holders may be eligible to apply under the EB -1 Category specifically created for managers and executives who meet the L-1 standards and are interested in becoming lawful permanent residents. This is a much faster process than the traditional employment based green card process. For more information about the EB-1 category and green card processing times please consult with our qualified advisors.

No. There is no requirement that the L-1 Visa holder posses a degree in order to qualify. This is true for both the L-1A and L-1B visa categories.

As long as there is an international qualifying relationship between the companies, then any company can apply for an L-1 visa.

The spouse of the L1 visa holder will be eligible to work. Furthermore, your children will be able to attend private and public school within the US. The children cannot seek paid employment.

As long as you continue to work for one of the companies’ branches or an affiliated company, then you will be allowed to transfer. However, you must notify the USCIS. Alternatively, you can inform your Attorney who will carry out the necessary paperwork. If you intend to work for a completely different company, then you must apply for a different visa.

Yes, this should not be a problem providing that they did not enter the US on ESTA and that they are eligible for this particular type of visa.

How can we help you?

Interested in pursuing an L-1A visa for yourself or an employee? Let us help! Our experienced staff and immigration attorneys know exactly how to manage an L-1 visa case. For a consultation, call +971 4 4542366 or email us at info@flyingcolour.com.