Lead Globally and grow in the USA with an L1 visa!
- Direct Path to Green Card
- Expand Business in the US.
- No Quota Limit
- Intra-Company Flexibility
- Dual Intent Visa
- Quick Processing
What does L1 Visa means?
For many professionals, an L1 visa means getting a golden ticket to work in the USA's Fortune or multinational companies. It's a fast-track pathway to the US without stressing about hunting for a job. Why? Well, simply because it is a corporate transfer of an employee from an affiliated branch in a foreign country to the USA. It allows employees like managers, executives, or specialized knowledge workers from foreign offices to the US branches. Additionally, no lottery, labor market test, or local job offer is required simply because your company sponsors you through this intra-company transfer visa!
A lesser-known fact about the L1A visa is that businesses can scale in the USA through its pathway. Many foreign companies send employees to open new offices in the USA, provided they match the eligibility requirements. Do you want to know who can apply for this Visa and the best way to do so? Find everything below, or contact our experts and simplify the process!
Who can apply for an L1A visa?
While an L1A Visa may seem lucrative, it is not meant for everyone. It is quite exclusive and crafted mainly for employees of multinational companies. If you fit in the below-mentioned categories, then you can apply!
1. Executives & Managers (L1A) This Visa is for you whether you make major choices, run teams, or occupy a high-level position. You can remain for up to seven years and even get a Green Card without labor certification.
2. Specialized Knowledge Employees (L1B) You qualify if you have great knowledge of the technologies, procedures, or goods used in your organization. This Visa runs for five years.
Basic Requirements to apply:
- Your employer has to be an international business with a US office either now open or in preparation.
- You have spent at least one year working for the company during the last three years.
H1B Visa vs L1A Visa
Most applicants are confused between an H1B Visa and an L1A visa. Here's a short comparison to give you clarity on both:
| Feature | H-1B Visa | L-1A Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Specialty occupation | Intracompany transfer (manager/executive) |
| Employer Requirement: | Any US employe | Multinational company only |
| Language Proficiency | Minimum CLB 5 in English or French (IELTS or TEF needed). | |
| Annual Cap | Yes (85,000) | No cap |
| Maximum Stay | 6 years | 7 years |
| Green Card Pathway | PERM (EB-2/EB-3) | EB-1C (faster process) |
| Work Flexibility | Can change employer | Limited to sponsoring companies. |
Are you confused about how to apply for an L1A visa? Get in touch with our experts and find the best assistance!
L1 Visa types
There are two types of L1 Visas:
- L-1A Visa: For executives and managers heading to a US headquarters. One should stay a maximum of seven years.
- L-1B Visa: Designed for workers with certain expertise. Five years is your maximum stay.
Both call for the employer to be a multinational business with a qualifying relationship between the American and overseas offices.
L1 Visa requirements, fees, duration, eligibility
| Feature | L-1A Visa (Managers/Executives) | L-1B Visa (Specialized Knowledge) |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | Multinational company, 1-year employment abroad | Multinational company, 1-year employment abroad |
| Fees | $460 (Form I-129) + $500 (Fraud Prevention) + Optional premium processing ($2,805) | Same as L-1A |
| Duration | Up to 7 years | Up to 5 years |
| Eligibility | Executives & Managers | Employees with specialized knowledge |
Want a smooth transition and a simple L-1 visa journey? Let Glocal opportunities help you bust the stress!
Benefits of L1A Visa
L1A visa is one of the most beneficial intra-company transfer visas with the following pros for successful applicants:
1. Dual Intent Visa (Pathway to Green Card) One of the fastest paths to US permanent residence, the L1A visa, lets holders apply for a Green Card (EB-1C immigrant visa) without needing labor certification (PERM).
2. No Educational Requirement Unlike H-1B, which calls for a bachelor's degree or above, L1A has no particular educational qualification criteria.
3. No Quota or Lottery System Unlike the H-1B visa, which has an annual limit, the L1A visa has no quota restrictions, enabling year-round applications.
4. Work Authorization for Spouse L1A visa holders' (L-2 visa) spouses are qualified for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), enabling their unfettered employment in the United States.
5. Longer Stay Duration
- L1A visa holders can stay a maximum of seven years, more than the six-year restriction of H-1B.
- For new offices, an initial stay is one year; for existing offices, it is three years.
- Extensions: Up to two years at once, a maximum of seven years overall.
6. Allows Expansion of Foreign Businesses to the US. Helping foreign companies enter the American market, the L1A visa allows the opening of a new branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the United States.
7. No Minimum Salary Requirement The L1A lacks a salary threshold, unlike H-1B, which mandates a minimum based on the going pay.
8. No Specific Job Type Restrictions L1A is versatile for many companies since it welcomes managers and executives from several sectors.
9. No Requirement to Maintain Foreign Employment Although the applicant must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year during the preceding three years, there is no obligation to keep employment with the foreign company once moved.
10. Opportunity for Dependents Under the L-2 Visa, the L1A visa lets the spouses and children of visa holders accompany them under 21.
11. Easier Processing Compared to H-1B Simplifying the process, L1A visa applications do not call for labor market assessment or Labor Condition Applications (LCA).
What is the best way to apply for an L1 visa?
The best way to apply for an L1 visa is to understand its process in detail to avoid missteps. Additionally, it is recommended that one should get in touch with an expert to learn about it. Here's the process:
1. Qualify You need to be a qualified candidate for the Visa by working for the company abroad for over a year in the past 3 years.
2. File Form I-129 Your US employer must submit the Form I-129 and supporting documents to USCIS.
3. Get USCIS Approval You'll be required to wait for the USCIS to approve the petition.
4. Schedule Visa Interview One of the most crucial steps is to apply via DS-160 and book an interview at a US consulate.
5. Attend an interview Be prepared and confidently present documents and answers during the interview.
6. Receive Visa If your Visa gets approved, you'll receive an L1 visa stamp. Get ready to work in the US!
Who needs to Apply for an L1B or L2 Visa?
The purpose of the L1A visa differs from the L1B or L2 visa. While L1A visa means getting a corporate transfer from their home country to the United States to work for a US firm, L1B and L2 have different purposes:
1. L1B Visa (Specialised knowledge workers) This Visa is meant for multinational company employees who have gained specialized knowledge of a company's products, services, processes, or proprietary technology.
Who should apply for this? Workers in specialist fields are not readily found in the United States but are professionals in IT, engineering, finance, or research positions. Also, people are moving to a US branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their present company.
2. L2 Visa (Dependents of L1 Visa Holders) An L2 visa is meant for the spouse and children (under 21 years old) of L1A or L1B visa holders.
Who should apply?
Spouses (eligible for work authorization in the US).
Unmarried children under 21 (can study but cannot work).
Want to simplify the process and cut the stress of your L1 visa journey? Reach out to our experts today!
Popular MNCs with L1 visa Norm
Organization L1 Visa Process Overview
TCS Transfers IT professionals with specialized knowledge.
Infosys Uses an L1 visa for key consultants and engineers.
Amazon Brings global managers and tech specialists.
Cognizant Relocates IT and consulting experts to the US.
Deloitte Transfers executives and industry specialists.
Can Indians apply for an L1A visa?
So far, more than 18,354 Indians have applied for an L1 visa, with many being successful since L1 visas have a better success rate than other work visas. This highlights that Indians can apply for an L1A visa, provided they qualify. Please note that the L1A visa is meant for executives and managers who must be transferred from an Indian office to a US branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the same company.
Worried about an L1 Visa interview? Get in touch with our experts and get the right guidance to excel!
Top L1A visa interview questions
- What is your name and job title?
- How long have you worked for your current company?
- What are your job responsibilities?
- Why are you being transferred to the US office?
- What is the relationship between your Indian company and the US company?
- What will be your role in the US?
- How many employees will you manage in the US?
- Who will you report to in the US?
- How long do you plan to stay in the US?
- Do you have hiring and decision-making authority?
Though most questions are basic, many people struggle with visa interviews. At Glocal Opportunities, we can help you prepare for the interview and guide you through it!
Common L1A visa challenges
Once qualified, an L1A visa is a straightforward process. However, applicants may face or come across the following challenges:
1. Lack of Proof for Managerial/Executive Role If you have an inadequate job description or unclear responsibilities, you may face problems with approval.
2. Insufficient Documentation of Company Relationship A qualifying relationship with a foreign company is a must. Also, failing to showcase ownership documents, financial records, or legal documents can cause disapproval.
3. Misclassification Between L1A and L1B Due to unawareness or lack of expert guidance, some applicants may file applications under L1A instead of L1B. USCIS may deny cases where job duties seem more technical than managerial/executive.
4. Rejection Due to Incomplete or Weak Documentation Without proper guidance and expertise, most applicants without an appropriate job description, payroll records, etc, could face rejections.
5. Visa Denial Due to Poor Interview Performance Many applicants go unprepared and cannot clearly explain their job role, reporting structure, etc., which may seem disappointing during the interview.
How can Glocal Opportunities help you?
Our L1 visa experts at Glocal Opportunities have helped many applicants confidently appear for visa interviews and reduce their L1A visa application stress. With our expertise and guidance, they have been able to make informed decisions and are thriving in the USA! Therefore, you should avail the following services to live the American dream:
1. Get assistance in job description drafting and organizational chart preparation.
2. Our L1A visa experts help you compile ownership, financial, and legal records.
3. Our experts can ensure you choose the correct visa category by reviewing job responsibilities.
4. Highly experts at Glocal Opportunities can provide you with a checklist and assist in preparing payroll records, job descriptions, and letters of support.
5. Our experts can guide you to confidently appear for the visa interview by conducting mock interviews in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions?
A non-immigrant work visa, an L1 visa, lets multinational corporations move staff from a foreign office to their US headquarters in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.
To their US company, an L1 visa holder must fill out Form I-9 with identity and work authorization documentation, including a passport, I-94 record, and Form I-796 (L1 approval notification).
L1 visa holders must get their pay from the US government in USD; international transactions for extra income can be handled using FX transfers in line with tax regulations.
Simplifying and accelerating the visa procedure, a Blanket L1 visa is a pre-approved petition allowing multinational corporations to move several employees to the US without submitting individual L1 petitions.