L Visas

At Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC, we know that in today’s economy, the movement of experienced workers across international borders can be an essential for many businesses. Through the L visas, employees can be transferred within the same company or related entities. For instance, there is the L-1A for managers and executives and the L-1B for employees with particular knowledge of the company’s services, products, or processes. If you have questions about L visas, contact our team as soon as you can so we can help you!

L Visas

To be eligible for the L visas, there are some requirements that must be met. For instance, for the L1 visa, there must be an existing employment abroad. This means that the worker must have been employed consistently for no less than one year within the past three years by the abroad company. This confirms that the person has kept a significant period of employment with the overseas company, having an understanding of its culture and operations. This requirement is crucial as it solidifies the person’s association and knowledge of the foreign company, aligning with the intentions of the L1. For assistance with a L visa application, contact us today!

To start the visa process, the U.S. employer must submit Form 1-129, which is a petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This step establishes the intent of the employers and that basic eligibility requirements are met for the L1 visa. The accuracy and entirety of this petition are vital since it forms the foundation of the visa process. Once the petition and relevant documentation are sent, they get processed by USCIS. This timeframe may vary, and expedited can be requested for an extra fee. After it gets approved, it doesn’t grant the visa itself, however it allows the employee to apply for the L1 visa at a consulate or embassy. If you have further questions, we are happy to provide you with the information you need on L visas!

Why Experience Matters In L Visa Applications

Applying for a L visa can come with many challenges and confusions, so it’s important that you have a lawyer to guide you through this process. You can rely on our L visas lawyer to assist you for the following reasons:

• We have helped many professionals, businesses, and families with every aspect of U.S. immigration law.
• We have more than 25 years of dedicated practice with visas, and other immigration related matters.
• We are proud to assist clients no matter where they live, whether that is locally or globally.

If you have questions about L visas, don’t hesitate to contact us at Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC for immediate assistance. We are an immigration law advocacy firm that is rooted in conviction. We have a proven track record of meeting our clients goals and needs. Established in 1996, we have served thousands of clients across the nation and facilitated their dreams of working or immigrating to the U.S. Contact us now so we can be of support to you! We hope to hear from you today.

The L-Visa is a nonimmigrant visa created in 1970 in order to enable companies to provisionally move foreign employees, managers, and exceptionally qualified executives to their U.S.-based businesses. L-1 Visas are typically only valid for a short amount of time, ranging from 3 months to 5 years depending on what country the Applicant is from.

Application Process

To apply for L1 status the Applicant must have been employed abroad at the same company for one year within three years before their application. The company can be profit, nonprofit, religious, charitable organizations. Full-time employment is not mandatory; however, applicants must devote a significant amount of their time on a regular basis to their company.

L Visas Infographic

Two common types of L-Visas are the L1A and the L1B visa.

L1A Visas are used for managers and top executives, whereas L1B visas are for employees or professionals with specific knowledge or skills within their respective fields. Both L1A and L1B are considered intra-company transferee visas.

If you wish to obtain more information on L-Visas we recommend that you contact the Los Angeles immigration lawyer at our firm, Bolour/Carl Immigration Group. Our attorney is highly skilled and has extensive experience in helping clients of all backgrounds with their immigration cases and can help you file a petition application-ensuring that all necessary requirements are fulfilled.

7 Steps to Apply for an L1 Visa

Many international companies transfer employees to the United States through the L1 visa program. While the process can be straightforward, it still requires proper planning and documentation with the help of your L Visas lawyer. At Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC, we have over 25 years of experience helping clients with their immigration and visa requests. Read on to see the steps to get an L1 Visa, and contact us today to get started.

1. Confirm That The Company Qualifies

The first step is confirming that the company meets the requirements for an L1 transfer. The U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company. Since this involves an intracompany transfer visa, this usually means the businesses are a parent company, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.

Both companies must also be actively doing business. USCIS typically looks for proof that the organizations have ongoing commercial activity.

2. Verify The Employee’s Eligibility

The worker being transferred must meet certain requirements. In most cases, the employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year during the last three years.

The worker must also be coming to the United States to fill a qualifying role. This usually involves a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position.

3. Prepare The Required Documentation

Once eligibility is confirmed, your L Visas attorney can help you gather the necessary documents. These materials often include proof of the company relationship, records showing the employee’s work history, and documents describing the employee’s role.

Employers may also provide organizational charts, financial records, and company information to show that both entities are active businesses.

4. File The Petition With Uscis

After the documentation is prepared, the employer files Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition asks the government to approve the transfer of the employee to the United States.

The petition package usually includes supporting documents that explain the company structure, the employee’s duties, and the purpose of the transfer.

5. Wait For Petition Review

USCIS reviews the petition and supporting materials after submission. As your L1 work visa lawyer can explain, the agency may approve the petition or ask for additional information through a Request for Evidence.

6. Complete Consular Processing

If the employee is outside the United States, the next step usually involves applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy. The employee submits the required forms and schedules a visa interview.

7. Enter The United States And Begin Work

After the visa is approved, the employee may travel to the United States and begin working for the U.S. office with his or her multinational employee transfer visa. At the port of entry, a Customs and Border Protection officer reviews the visa and supporting documents before admitting the employee into the country.

Once admitted, the worker may start the new role with the U.S. company according to the approved petition.

Contact Us Today

At Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC, we help companies and employees prepare petitions, organize documentation, and respond to requests from immigration agencies. If your company is planning an international employee transfer, contact our office to discuss your options with an L Visas attorney from our team.

L Visa FAQs

Many companies move employees between offices in different countries. One immigration option that supports this type of transfer is the L visa. The process involves several steps and documentation, but your L visa lawyer can walk you through the process. At Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC, we’ll use our 29+ years of experience to help. Read on for some answers to common questions, and contact us today to get started.

Who Qualifies For An L Visa?

L visas are designed for employees of international companies that operate in both the United States and another country. As your L1 immigration lawyer can explain, to qualify, the worker must have been employed by the company abroad for at least one continuous year within the past three years.

The employee must also be coming to the United States to work in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role. The U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company, such as a parent company, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.

What Is The Difference Between The L1A And L1B Visa Categories?

The L1A category is for managers and executives. These employees typically supervise teams, oversee departments, or make high-level decisions within the organization. Many multinational companies use this category to transfer senior leadership to the United States.

The L1B category is for employees who have specialized knowledge about the company’s products, services, systems, or operations. These workers often play an important role in helping the U.S. office operate in the same way as the overseas location.

What Documents Are Required For An L1 Visa Petition?

Several types of documentation are usually required when filing an L1 petition, but your L visas attorney can help you provide the right information. The employer must show that the U.S. and foreign companies have a qualifying relationship. This may include corporate records, ownership documents, or business registration materials.

What Happens If An Intracompany Transfer Visa Petition Is Denied?

A petition may be denied for several reasons. One common issue is insufficient documentation showing the relationship between the foreign and U.S. companies. Another issue may involve the job role if the government believes it does not meet the requirements for a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position.

In some cases, applicants receive a request for additional evidence before a final decision is made. When a petition for a multinational executive visa is denied, the company may be able to address the issues and file a new petition or explore other immigration options depending on the situation.

Can A Foreign Company Open A New Office In The United States Using An L1 Visa?

Yes, in some situations a company can use an executive transfer visa to open a new office in the United States. The business must show that it has secured physical office space and plans to begin operations within a reasonable period of time.

Contact Us Today

Our team has provided legal support for L visas, EB2 visas, and more. If your company is considering transferring employees to the United States, Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC is ready to help. Get in touch with us today, and see how an L visas attorney from our team can make a difference.