Intracompany Transferees (L1)

Overview

The “L” visa applies to persons entering the United States to perform services in managerial or executive capacity for a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate of a U.S. company where he/she had worked for at least one continuous year out of the last three-year period.

Period of Stay

“L” visa holders are authorized to stay in the United States for a period of three (3) years and may apply for an extension of up to four (4) years. Total stay, however, should not exceed seven (7) years.

Eligibility Requirements

* The employee must have been employed abroad for the corporation, firm, or other legal entity (or an affiliate or subsidiary of a US-based company thereof);
* The employee must have worked for the US-based company abroad on a full-time basis for at least one continuous year out of the last three-year period;
* The employee should be entering the United States to perform services in a managerial or executive capacity;

Premium Processing

The BCIS offers an expedited 14-day service for an additional fee of $1,000.00. Regular processing currently takes about 12-14 weeks. The advantage of Premium Processing is speed. The disadvantage is that in order to expedite a case within the 14-day deadline, the BCIS does not have adequate time to request additional information to clarify any ambiguities in the petition. Therefore a denial is far more frequent in Premium Processing cases than with Regular Processing. We will provide you with a legal opinion as to the merits of Premium Processing in your particular case.

Family Members

With the exception of "Q-1 Cultural Exchange Visitors," the spouse and unmarried, minor children of an applicant under any of the above classifications may also be classified as nonimmigrants in order to accompany or join the principal applicant. A person who has received a visa as the spouse or child of a temporary worker may not accept employment in the United States. The principal applicant must be able to show that he or she will be able to support his or her family in the United States.