L Visa

The L-1 Visa allows managers, executives, or workers with specialized knowledge or specific skills relevant to the company who work in a foreign country to transfer to a branch or subsidiary company in the U.S. Large companies with a lot of business can also benefit from Blanket L-1 visas, which is a faster way of processing L-1 visas. For Blanket L-1 visas, the company must employ at least 1,000 U.S. workers, have sales of over $25 million or more, or have had 10 or more L-1 visas approved the year before. Unlike H-1Bs, there is no annual limit on the number of L-1 visas issued.

L-1 Visa Requirements

• For the past three years prior to the applicant’s transfer, s/he must have been employed by the company for one year as an executive, manager, or in a position of specialized knowledge or skill.
• Applicant has to come in the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or position of specialized knowledge
  • L-1A visas are for qualifying executives and managers
  • L-1B visas are for applicants with specialized knowledge or possess specific skills
  • Company must a qualifying relationship with the foreign company (subsidiary, affiliate, branch, or parent company).
  • Company must be engaged in doing business in the United States and abroad, which means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and services by a qualifying organization.

The initial period of approval for the L-1 category is for a maximum of 3 years. Executives and managers may stay in the United States for up to seven years on an L-1 visa. Specialized workers may stay at the U.S. facility for up to five years.

L-1 Blanket Petition Requirements

Certain large companies can establish the intracompany relationship between the foreign and U.S. entity in advance of the L-1 Petition by filing a blanket petition.

• Company must have at least three domestic / foreign branches, affiliates, or subsidiaries.
• Company’s U.S. presence must have been operating for at least one year.
• Each entity of the company must be engaged in commercial trade or services.
• And one of the following
  • Must have a United States workforce of at least 1,000 employees.
  • The company and its U.S. subsidiary, affiliate, or branch must have combined annual sales of at least $25 million.
  • Must have obtained at least 10 L-1 approvals in the one-year period prior to filing a blanket petition.