L-1 Visa

These visas are granted to applicants who want to transfer their work to the United States. They are granted to individuals who work for a foreign company with a parent, a subsidiary, or a branch in the United States, and who are either in an executive or managerial position, or who have specialized knowledge.

Who Qualifies?

• The applicant does NOT need to come from a treaty country, like applicants for E visas.
• The L-1 visa is separated into two parts: A and B.
• An L-1A visa is for employees who aim to come to the US as an executive, manager, or supervisor.
• An L-1B visa is for employees who aim to come to the US because they have specialized knowledge that their company needs.
• L-2 visas are for spouses and dependents of L-1 visa holders.
• L-1 visa holders must work for a qualifying company. This means their employer in the US must have a special connection to their employer in their home country. It should provide the same type of goods or services. One of the companies must be the parent or subsidiary of the other, or a branch. A subsidiary means a company owned entirely, or more than 50% by the parent company.
• Our team at VISAS-USA can help you demonstrate this relationship.
• An L-1A visa holder must truly be an employee, not merely an owner of the foreign company. He or she should receive a salary. The visa holder must be coming to truly supervise a team of professionals. This means the visa holder must not only do day to day work at the company. This is not supervisory. And he or she must manage a team of professionals who have a high level of education or experience, not mere laborers.
• An L-1B visa holder must be able to demonstrate that his or her knowledge of products or services is indeed specialized. They need not be the only one in the world who holds this knowledge, but it must be uncommon and distinct.
• An L-1 visa is a “dual intent” visa, meaning the visa holder can intend to work temporarily and at the same time apply for a US Green Card. This is different from holders of E visas, who have to signal their intent to depart. This, obviously, can make L visas very attractive.

What Are the Benefits of an L-1 Visa

• E-1 visas are initially be granted for up to three years, during which time the visa holder may travel freely in and out of the U.S.
• An L-1 visa can be renewed for two year increments, up to seven years for L-1A holders and up to five years for L-1B holders.
• L-1 Visa holders can apply for Green Cards.
• An L-1 visa holder’s spouse and unmarried minor children are also granted visas. The spouse may apply for permission to work in the United States – even at a different business.

What Are the Differences Between E-1 Visas, E-2 Visas, and L-Visas ?

L1 Visa Fees

Filing Fee –      Regular $460 or $960

Filing Fee –      Premium $2,960 or $3,460