The USA is a pretty dynamic country and needs no introduction. If you have decided to move to the overseas hotspot, then your decision is pretty wise. Due to its thriving economy and high standard of living, the country is pretty much famous among migrants. And, because of excellent work environment, many professionals such as doctors, engineers, IT experts have moved to the country on a large scale.
The country is not only famous among the aforementioned professionals, but it also enjoys wide acceptance from some other professionals such as Managers, Executives and Specialized Knowledge under the special category L1 Visa.
What is L1 Visa for USA?
It is basically a temporary non immigrant visa category to the Federal Republic. Perhaps, it is the only smooth passage for Multi National Companies working outside the USA to transfer their employees to the nation. In a formal term, it is defined as an Intra company transfer visa and is issued for a period of up to five years depending on the petition. And, if required, the duration of stay can be extended. However, it cannot exceed beyond seven years.
There are basically two kinds of workers who may have sponsorship for the USA L1 Permits, namely, Managers/Executives, and Specialized Knowledge Staff.
Managers/Executives
The officially permitted meaning of management and executive responsibilities for these objects is rather strict, and a comprehensive description of the duties linked to the position will be needed. Specifically, it is mandatory that the executive or manager possess supervisory duty for professional staff and/or for a major activity, department or subdivision of the recruiter. Such workers are given an L1A Permit, at first for a three year time-frame extendible in two year increments to not more than seven years.
Specialized Knowledge Staff
The class comprises those with knowledge of the firm’s goods /services, research, systems, proprietary systems, management, or processes. Staff in the segment is provided with an L1B Permit, to begin with for three years extendible to not more than five years.
USA L1 Visa–Terms & Conditions
- Only executives, managers and specialized knowledge workers fall under the category.
- No individual can submit a petition. Instead their employer on their behalf submits a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- At the time of submitting the petition, a letter from the US based company stating the need of the candidate is required.
- The candidate must have at least one year of work experience during the last three years.
- He must be giving services to the same employer in US or to an affiliate.
- The petition must state that both the offices, i.e., the parent company and the US office are qualified legal organizations.
- The candidate must be qualified to hold the position in US office and should be bearing similar responsibilities in US office as in the native office.
- The duration for managers and executives is restricted to seven years and specialized skill professionals have a limitation of five years.
- The candidate must have an intention to depart from the country upon the completion of his authorized duration in the nation.
Is it possible to apply for a L1 Visa in order to set up an office in USA?
Yes, it is very much possible to submit an application for the L1 Visa in order to set up an office in the USA only if following conditions are met successfully:
- The company in concern must be able to prove that they have enough funds in order to start and maintain a new office in the US, and
- That it also has a well developed and established infrastructure in the country required to successfully run a company.
If the organization is well established and well known, it’s generally easy to meet the terms, but if the organization is small or a start up, the petitioner must be ready to go thought extensive immigration process, in terms of completing the documentation process in order to become eligible for the L1 visa. Therefore, it is highly recommendable to seek the services of immigration expert.
