4 Things to Know About the L-1 Visa

If you’re in need of a non-immigrant United States visa and you work in a managerial or executive role, you’ve likely been researching the L-1 visa. This visa allows those in a managerial or executive role to work temporarily in the United States. There is also a subcategory that provides a visa for those who have specialized knowledge in their industry and would like to work in America.

In today’s blog post from Zohar Law, we will discuss four main points that you should know about L-1 visa eligibility before applying. Read on to learn more, and if you’re ready to apply for an L-1 visa, reach out to the legal team at Zohar Law in Manhattan today for a free 15-minute consultation.

It’s a Visa for Those in a Managerial or Executive Role

The first thing you should know about the L-1 visa is that it is meant specifically for those who are in a managerial or executive role, or those who have specialized knowledge of their industry. Also known as the Intracompany Transferee visa, it was originally designed for employees working for large multinational companies; however, it has been expanded to include smaller and start-up companies to allow them to bring their business into the United States.

The Difference Between the L-1A Visa and the L-1B Visa

There are two subcategories of the L-1 visa: the L-1A visa and L-1B visa. In order to successfully apply, you must understand which category you fall into.

L-1A Visa: The L-1A visa is for executives and managers of multinational companies who are looking to perform that role for the same company or one of its qualifying organizations in the United States. The company can have a current office in the U.S. or can be sending this manager or executive to America for the purposes of opening a new office.
L-1B Visa: The L-1B visa is for those who have specialized knowledge in their field. It allows multinational companies to transfer an employee from a foreign office to a United States office, or can also be used for the purpose of opening a new office in America.

It’s a Non-Immigrant Visa

Simply put, a non-immigrant visa is a temporary visa. It is not meant to lead to permanent residency or citizenship, but rather allows an individual to live in the United States for a limited amount of time to work. The L-1A visa is valid for up to seven years while the L-1B visa is valid for up to five years.

Other L-1 Visa Requirements

In addition to the basic L-1 visa requirements we’ve discussed, in order to be qualified to receive the L-1A visa, you’ll need to have worked for the multinational company in a managerial or executive role for one continuous year in the past three years. In the case of an L-1B visa, you’ll need to have simply worked for the company in your specialized role for one continuous year over the past three years.

If you are transferring to the U.S, with the purpose of opening a new office, you’ll also be required to provide a physical location for the office and provide proof that the new office will be open and able to support an executive or managerial position within one year of your visa petition being approved.

Learn More From Our NYC Immigration Law Firm

If you’re interested in learning more about the L-1A or L-1B visa, the team of immigration lawyers at Zohar Law in Manhattan is here to help. We have extensive experience in handling non-immigrant and immigrant visas of all kinds, and can help you determine your L-1 visa eligibility and assist you through the application process. When you’re ready to learn more, reach out to Zohar Law to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We speak English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Arabic.

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