To Transfer or Not To Transfer? L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

November 23, 2012

For companies that have offices abroad and an office presence here in the U.S., L-1 intracompany transferee is a visa classification that will allow you to transfer one of your foreign national employees to the U.S. office and provide for a smooth application process with USCIS and the Consulate.  As  long as the foreign national employee has been employed at your foreign parent/subsidiary/affiliate for at leat one full year preceding the filing of the L-1 application and that person is acting in executive/managerial capacity or has specialized knowledge, L-1 provides for an excellent visa choice. 

L-1A (executive/managerial capacity) is a 7-year visa that provides a smooth path to permanent residence, if the required criteria is met.  L-1B (specialized knowledge) is a 5-year visa where foreign national may also be sponsored for permanent residence.

Not only large companies may benefit from this visa category.  If you have a successful business abroad and are looking to open an affiliate new office in the U.S., L-1 could be a visa option that will allow you to do that.