L-1A, L-1B, L-2 Visas and Blankets for Intracompany Transferees to the U.S.
Corporations with operations outside the United States use the L visa classification to transfer foreign executives and managers, professionals and specialized knowledge employees from locations outside the U.S. to new or existing intracompany assignments in the U.S. To learn how your company can benefit from our law firm's experience with intracompany transfers to the U.S., contact Robert Brown LLC to discuss your needs with a knowledgeable attorney.
The L petition process does not require a labor condition application from the Department of Labor and application may be made directly to the Citizenship and Immigration Service. In certain instances, the applicant can bypass the CIS and file directly with the U.S. Consulate abroad.
The L visa often represents a faster, more streamlined, and sometimes less costly alternative to the H-1B procedure. Other advantages for using the L visa classification over the H-1B include the absence of any numerical limit on the number of L visas that may be granted in a given year and the availability of U.S. employment authorization for the spouse of an L-1 visa holder under an L-2 visa.
Robert Brown LLC advises corporate clients about transfers under the L visa both as a freestanding engagement and as part of a broader immigration general counsel relationship. We work with clients seeking the occasional transfer of individual workers to the U.S. as well as with companies interested in processing multiple transfers in higher volumes. Regardless of your circumstances, you can depend on our lawyers for accurate advice and prompt service.
Entry Under L-1A and L-1B Visa Categories
L visas are nonimmigrant employment visas, and are generally valid for up to 7 years for executives or managers (L-1A) or 5 years for professional employees or "workers with specialized knowledge" (L-1B). Spouses and children of L-1 status holders can enter the U.S. under L-2 visas. Spouses in L-2 status may receive employment authorization to work in the US.
Adjustment of status is available if the employer and the transferee wish to seek permanent residence. The PERM labor certification process or EB preferences might also be available for achieving permanent residence and a green card for an L-1 visa holder.
In general, eligibility for entry under an L-1 visa requires one year of continuous employment with the employer outside the U.S. during the three years proceeding entry. Applicants for status as an L-1B professional must have a bachelor degree. Both professional and nonprofessional L-1B applicants must demonstrate that the specialized knowledge relates to particular knowledge of the company, not just to the occupation in which the person is employed.
Larger Companies Can Obtain L Visa Transfers Through Blanket Petitions
Certain multinational companies may qualify for "blanket" approval, or entry for multiple transferees through a single application. The benefits of blanket authorization include expedited processing and often reduced fees. Blanket approval is particularly useful for companies that have frequent movement or transfer of personnel.
To be eligible for blanket approval an employer, among other requirements, must demonstrate at least one of the following: combined U.S. annual sales of $25 million, a U.S. workforce of 1,000 or more employees, or a record of approval of at least 10 L petitions in the preceding 12 months.
Nationwide Client Service From Offices in Ohio, Florida and North Carolina
The L visa petition procedure is available for groups of intracompany transferees as well as for individual employees; many employers find this visa category a better alternative than the H-1B classification. The attorneys of Robert Brown LLC are ready to assist and provide further information about L visas for intracompany transfers to the U.S. To learn more about our experience with L visa concerns, contact us in Cleveland, Orlando or Raleigh-Durham.
