The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa category that allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their foreign offices to their U.S. offices. It is designed to facilitate the transfer of key personnel and facilitate international business operations. Here is an overview of the L-1 visa category:
Intra-Company Transfers: The L-1 visa is available for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred from a foreign office (L-1A for executives and managers or L-1B for specialized knowledge workers) to a related U.S. office of the same company.
Qualifying Relationship: To be eligible for an L-1 visa, there must be a qualifying relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. company. This typically involves the U.S. company being a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office of the foreign company.
Employment Requirements: a. L-1A Visa: For executives or managers, you must have been employed in an executive or managerial capacity by the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years. b. L-1B Visa: For specialized knowledge workers, you must possess specialized knowledge of the company's products, processes, or procedures and have been employed by the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years.
Temporary Stay: The L-1 visa is a temporary visa category, and the initial period of stay is up to three years for L-1B visa holders and up to seven years for L-1A visa holders. Extensions may be granted, but the maximum stay is five years for L-1B visa holders and se