Our Experience Is Trusted Around The World

What are the requirements for an L1 visa?

On Behalf of | Jan 23, 2025 | Business Visas

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer executives or managers to the United States. Whether your company is established in the U.S. or planning to open a new office, knowing the requirements for an L-1 visa can help you prepare for the possibility of a transfer. This guide will help you understand what is needed to get an L-1 visa, both for the company and the employee.

What is the L-1 Visa?

The L-1 visa allows a U.S. company to bring a manager or executive from its office in another country to the United States. It also lets foreign companies send managers to the U.S. to start a new office. In summary, this visa helps companies move essential staff between countries.

If a foreign company intends to establish a new office in the U.S., additional requirements apply. The employer must secure sufficient premises for the new office and demonstrate that the office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of the visa’s approval. The employee must have been in an executive or managerial role for a continuous year before filing the petition.

Employer qualifications

To qualify for an L-1 visa, a company must have a relationship with a foreign company, like a parent company, branch, or affiliate. The company must be actively doing business in the U.S. and at least one other country. “Doing business” means regularly providing goods or services, not just having an office.

Employee qualifications

The employee must have worked for the company outside the U.S. for at least one year in the last three years. They must come to the U.S. to work as a manager or executive. Remember that executives make big decisions with little supervision, while managers oversee employees and manage parts of the company.

How long can you stay?

If you are setting up a new office, you can stay for one year at first. Other L-1A employees can stay for up to three years. You can apply to extend your stay in two-year increments, up to seven years.

Can you bring your family with you?

People with an L-1 visa can bring their spouse and children under 21. Family members can apply for L-2 visas. Spouses with L-2S status can work in the U.S. without needing a separate work permit.

The L-1 visa helps companies bring important staff to the U.S. By meeting the requirements, businesses can ensure their managers or executives can move smoothly. An immigration attorney can supervise the process to avoid costly mistakes.

 

Categories

Archives