The L-1 visa is another type of visa that allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from their foreign offices to their U.S. offices. It’s a great option if you’re already working for a company with offices in both your home country and the United States. The L-1 visa comes in two categories: L-1A for executives and managers, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge. It allows you to work in the U.S. temporarily and can potentially lead to permanent residency.
There are two main categories of the L-1 visa:
- L-1A Visa: This category is for executives and managers. To be eligible, you need to have been employed in an executive or managerial role in a foreign company for at least one year within the past three years. The L-1A visa allows you to stay and work in the U.S. for up to seven years.
- L-1B Visa: This category is for employees with specialized knowledge. Specialized knowledge refers to your expertise in the company’s products, services, research, techniques, or management. Like the L-1A visa, you need to have been employed in a foreign company for at least one year within the past three years. The L-1B visa allows you to stay and work in the U.S. for up to five years.
Here are some key points to know about the L-1 visa:
- The U.S. company and the foreign company must have a qualifying relationship, such as being a parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate.
- The employee being transferred must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years.
- The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.
- The L-1 visa allows for dual intent, meaning you can have the intention to eventually pursue permanent residency in the U.S.