The L-1 (Intracompany Transferee) visa is used to transfer multinational managers or executives from a foreign company to an affiliate or subsidiary US company. In most instances, qualified persons can obtain their visa within one (1) to three (3) months after their employer files a complete petition with the USCIS.
To qualify for an L-1 visa, one must be transferring from a foreign company to a properly related U.S. company. The individual must have served in either an executive, managerial or "specialized knowledge" capacity with the foreign company and must be transferring to the U.S. company to serve in one of these specified capacities. The U.S. company and the foreign company must be related by at least 50% common ownership and/or control. The transferee must have been employed by the foreign company in a managerial, executive or specialized knowledge capacity for at least one (1) year within the preceding three (3) years prior to the transfer.
Spouses of L-1 visa holders are now eligible for employment authorization. Spouses may apply for employment authorization following admission to the U.S. in the L-2 status. Employment authorization for a spouse is granted in maximum two-year increments.
In order to find out the necessary documentation for an L-1A petition, please click here
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