USA L-1 Intra Company Transfer Visa

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• The United States L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies operating both in the US and abroad to move certain employees from its foreign operations to the USA operations for up to seven years.

• To get an L-1 visa, the foreign worker must have worked for the foreign company for at least one year straight in the last three years, and the U.S. Company must be the foreign company’s parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or      branch.

• L-1 visas come in two forms: L-1A and L-1B. The L-1A visa is for managers and executives, and the L-1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge.

• L1 A for Managers / Executives – The legal definition of management and executive roles for these purposes is quite strict, and detailed description of the duties attached to the position will be required. In particular, the executive  or manager should have supervisory  responsibility for professional staff and/or for a key function, department or subdivision of the employer.
   

 L1 B for Specialized Knowledge Staff - This category covers those with knowledge of the company’s products/services, research, systems, proprietary techniques, management, or procedures.

L-1 visa holders can stay in the U.S. for up to three years at first, and they can ask to stay longer for up to seven years for an L-1A visa or five years for an L-1B visa.

The L-1 visa is a common way for multinational companies to move their employees to the United States and keep doing business there.

After completing the maximum allowed period in L-1 status, the employee must be employed outside the USA for minimum one year before a new application is made for L or H status.