Visto L1 US – Guerra Law

L1 VISA

Visa for International Transfer of Managers and Executives

What is the L1 Visa?

The L-1 visa is a United States nonimmigrant visa category designed to allow companies to transfer employees of foreign subsidiaries or affiliates to a branch office in the United States.

There are two main types of L1 visas: the L-1A and the L-1B

L-1A visa

This visa is intended for managers and executives transferred from a foreign company to a branch in the United States.
L-1A visa holders can stay in the US for up to 7 years total (initially for 3 years, with possible extensions in 2-year increments).
They must perform management or high-level roles in the organization.
No minimum investment is required.
The L-1A visa can be a stepping stone to an EB-1C permanent resident visa, which leads to obtaining a Green Card.

L-1B visa

This visa is intended for transferred employees with specialized knowledge.
L-1B visa holders can stay in the US for up to 5 years in total (initially for 3 years, with the possibility of extensions).
They must possess specialized knowledge, which is defined as advanced knowledge of the company, its products, processes, technology, management or other areas of expertise.
The goal is to allow employees to share this knowledge with the US branch.

General Requirements for the L1 Visa:

The U.S. company and the foreign company must have a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate relationship.

The applicant must have worked for the foreign company for a minimum period of 1 year in the last 3 years.

The company in the US must be in operation and must offer suitable conditions for the applicant's employment.

L-1 visas also allow the L-1 visa holder's spouse and children under 21 to accompany the applicant to the U.S. on L-2 visas. Spouses can apply for work authorization in the United States.

It is important to note that the L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, which means that visa holders are not automatically permanent residents of the US. However, the L-1 visa may be an option for intra-company transfers and may eventually lead to U.S. permanent resident status depending on individual circumstances. The process of applying for an L-1 visa can be complex, and it is advisable to enlist the support of an experienced immigration office or L-1 visa specialist for specific guidance.

WE TAKE CARE OF YOUR GREEN CARD

Do you dream of living and working legally in the United States and identify with any of the L1 visa profiles above? So contact the Guerra Law team and fill out our free green card pre-evaluation form, and start realizing your American dream today.

Law firm with over 40 years of experience in immigration laws. We have a highly qualified team ready to assist you with your application. We are the bridge to help you achieve your dream of visiting, studying, working, or living legally in the USA.