Demystifying the Benefits Of US L1 Visa

by Alexis Watson Immigration lawyer

A L1 US Immigration visa is an excellent way for small businesses to establish operations in United States without making any huge investment or getting into the hassle of applying for visa under EB-5 Immigrant Investor program which calls for a larger financial commitment. This particular visa program allows overseas companies to transfer their executives, managers and even owners of business to their already existing or newly established US offices. The visa scheme offers two options which companies can look into , one is for the transfers of executive workers who are into managerial roles and this particular option is called the L1A visa . On the other hand if the company is looking at transferring a particular person who owns specific technical or specialized skills can be transferred under L1B option of the L1 visa scheme.

Now looking at qualification guidelines, which means the what is the minimum qualification which the person getting transferred need to adhere is based on the person’s association with employer before he/she qualifies for L1 visa led transfer. The basic guideline says that the person who is getting transferred should have been under permanent employment with the employer at least for a period of one year in last three years before the date of application to qualify for the transfer under L1 Immigration visa scheme. Other than the minimum qualification guideline , there are rules around the number of years for person getting transferred can stay in US soil. For people getting transferred under L1A option, the maximum allowed period is seven years whereas under the L1B option , the period is just five years. In case the person is looking for renewal the he/she has to go back to original country which is other than US and stay there for a period of one year and work with the same employer so that he/she again qualifies for applying for L1 visa again.

Other qualification guidelines and adherence regarding the period of stay while applying for this particular category of visa , he/she should be clear about under which option the person should apply. To understand it is better to have a fair understanding of various option available.

L1 A immigrant visa option for people under managerial or executives roles. It is always good to look for an advice from New York Immigration Attorney and build a sustainable immigration strategy While applying for the visa the company should file details regarding the exact role of the person and duties to which the person need to commit to while being in that position. A personal issued visa under L1A US Immigrant visa option are initially given a time period of three years which can further extended to 2 years with a maximum limit of 7 years.

L1B Immigrant US visa is meant only personal which only specific technical knowledge. Specific technical knowledge is defined around people having specific technical skill which may be proprietary to the organization into consideration or any related to research and development and the same plays a prominent role in the overall functioning of the organization or the product or service the company is delivering. The visa is initially issued for a period of three years under L1B option and which can be further extended to a maximum period of two years.

Though the above details quietly demystifies the major elements of US Immigration L1 Visa but it is advised to take the help of an immigration lawyer so the process become very easy handle.