L-1 Visa Services

What is an L-1 Visa?

The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that enables multinational companies to transfer certain employees from their foreign operations to their U.S. offices. It is divided into two categories:

• L-1A: For executives and managers
• L-1B: For employees with specialized knowledge

The L-1 visa is particularly valuable for companies expanding into the U.S. market, as it allows for the transfer of key personnel to establish or grow U.S. operations.

L-1 Visa Requirements

To qualify for an L-1 visa, the following requirements must be met:

• The U.S. and foreign companies must have a qualifying relationship (parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch)
• The company must be doing business in the U.S. and at least one other country
• The employee must have worked for the foreign entity for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding the application
• The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity
• For new offices, additional evidence of business viability is required

Types of L-1 Visas

L-1A Executive or Manager

This category is for employees who primarily:

• Direct the management of the organization or a major component
• Establish goals and policies
• Exercise wide latitude in decision-making
• Receive only general supervision from higher executives
• Supervise the work of other managers, supervisors, or professional employees

L-1B Specialized Knowledge

This category is for employees who possess:

• Special knowledge of the company's products, services, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests
• Advanced level of expertise in the organization's processes and procedures

Our L-1 Visa Services

JZ Law Group provides comprehensive legal services for the L-1 visa process, including:

• Evaluating eligibility for L-1A or L-1B classification
• Analyzing and documenting the qualifying corporate relationship
• Preparing evidence of the employee's qualifying experience and position
• Developing business plans and documentation for new office petitions
• Preparing and filing the L-1 petition with USCIS
• Responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
• Advising on blanket L petitions for larger companies
• L-1 visa extensions and amendments
• L-2 dependent applications for family members
• Transitioning from L-1A to EB-1C green card

Advantages of the L-1 Visa

The L-1 visa offers several advantages for multinational companies and their employees:

• No annual cap on the number of L-1 visas issued
• No labor certification or prevailing wage requirement
• Dual intent recognized (can pursue permanent residency)
• L-1A holders can qualify for the EB-1C immigrant visa category
• Spouses can apply for work authorization (L-2 EAD)
• Blanket L petitions available for larger companies
• Can establish a new office in the U.S.

L-1 Visa Process and Timeline

The L-1 visa application process typically involves the following steps:

1. Filing a petition with USCIS (Form I-129 with L Supplement)
2. If approved, applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate (if abroad)
3. Entering the U.S. and beginning work with the U.S. company

Initial L-1 visas are typically valid for:

• Up to 3 years for established offices
• 1 year for new offices

L-1A visas can be extended in 2-year increments up to a maximum of 7 years, while L-1B visas can be extended up to a maximum of 5 years.

Why Choose JZ Law Group for Your L-1 Case

Our firm has extensive experience helping multinational companies transfer key personnel to the United States. We understand the business considerations involved and work closely with both companies and transferees to develop strong applications that align with your corporate goals. Our attorneys stay current with changing immigration policies and procedures to provide effective legal strategies for even the most complex L-1 cases.