Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visa

>L-1 category is meant for aliens coming to the United States on temporary assignment for the same or an affiliated employer for which the alien worked abroad for at least one year within the proceeding three years. The alien must be employed in a managerial or executive capacity (L-1A) or one involving specialized knowledge (L-1B). There is no annual limit on the number issued.

The family members of L-1 alien can come to the U.S. under L-2 category. However, they cannot engage in employment in the United States unless they change the status to a nonimmigrant category for which employment is allowed.

Requirements

A U.S. employer or foreign employer (must have a legal business in the U.S.) seeking to transfer a qualifying employee of the same organization must file petition, I-129 and L supplement along with:

1. Documentation verifying the corporate relationship between the U.S. company and the foreign company
2. Job description and requirements for the position. Description of aliens unique knowledge to be used by the U.S. company in case its for a specialized knowledge position
3. Documentation verifying capitalization structure of the company
4. Documentation proving that the alien worked in the foreign company for a continuous period of over one year in the preceding three years in an executive or managerial capacity, or was employed in a position involving specialized knowledge and that the alien is coming to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or a specialized knowledge position
5. Evidence of establishment of new office
6. Evidence showing the type of business and financial stability

Stay and Extensions

The initial period of approval allowed for L-1 category is for a maximum of three years. The extension of stay up to a total of seven years can be obtained for managers and executives and five years for specialized knowledge employees. For extensions Form I-129 along with L supplement should be used, however, supporting documentations are normally not required.