US L1 Visa

The L 1 intra-company transferee visa allows executives, managers, and employees with specialized skills to transfer from the foreign company to a U.S. office, subsidiary, or affiliated company to perform temporary services. The intra-company transferee is allowed to work for the U.S. subsidiary or affiliate company. The spouse and children under 21 are allowed to accompany the L-1 visa holder during the period of the transferee status. Under certain conditions, it may be possible to convert the L1 visa for executives and managers to lawful permanent residence status.

L1 Visa Duration: L1 visas are granted initially for 1 to three years with extensions available in two-year increments, with a total stay not to exceed seven years.

L1 Visa Requirements: The applicant must have been employed by the foreign "parent company" for at least twelve months during the three year period immediate prior to filing the L-1 visa application. The applicant must have been employed as an executive, manager, or as a specialized skill worker for a minimum of twelve months during the three years immediately preceding the filing of the L-1 visa petition. The applicant be employed as an executive, manager, or as a specialized skill worker for the same company, or its U.S. subsidiary or affiliate. The current and prospective companies must be either the same company, or related by subsidiary or affiliate ownership.