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L-1
Visa Intercompany Transferee.
What is an L1 Visa?
A L-1 Visa allows companies that are established inside of the United States to transfer qualified employees for a period of 5 to 7 years. Certain employees can apply for residence in the United States by being sponsored by their employers.
Which companies can file a L-1 petition?
The companies must meet the requirements set out by law. The company must have a branch, a subsidiary or affiliate company abroad, and the foreign company must operate during the period the visa is valid. Also, the foreign company can submit the petition for a L-1 visa with the purpose of establishing a new office in the United States. In these cases, the visa will be approved for a period of one year. |
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What kind of Employees are Eligible to be Transfered?
In order to quality for a L-1 visa, the beneficiary must have worked for a foreign affiliate, subsidiary or parent company for at least one year in the last three years, under one of the following categories:
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Managerial/ Executive Position: The law establishes specific requirements in order to determine whether a position is a managerial or executive position. In order to determinate whether an employee qualifies for this category, an analysis of this position is required.
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Specialized Knowledge: The law defines specialized knowledge as the knowledge one has of a product, service, equipment, techniques or handling of a certain organization or other interest and its application in the international market. It could also be an advanced level of knowledge or experience in the processes of the organization. The periods of qualified employment is for five years. In addition, the time of employment can involve a combination of more than one of the categories. Nonetheless, only full time positions can qualify for purposes of a L-1.
Duration Stay:
Initially, a L-1 visa could be for a period of three years (one year if the applicant is opening a new office in the United States ). Extensions can be obtained for a total period up to seven years for managers and executives and five years for employees with specialized knowledge.
There is no minimum requirement of investment set by law.
The application process takes from one to four months.
For
further information, please contact
us.
List
of documents required for an L-1 Visa
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