With decreasing travel time between countries and increasing ease in international communication, corporations are able to spread on a global scale more easily now than ever before. However, with locations across the world, companies may have to send executives, managers, and other specialized workers to different branches in different countries. International businesspersons can visit their companies within the United States only after the acquisition of an L-1 visa. A visa is a document that grants an individual permission to enter and reside in a country for a given amount of time.

L-1 visas are for intracompany transferees who intend to come to the U.S. to work in an established branch of their international company or to start a subsidiary of the corporation in the United States. There are two types of L-1 visas, L-1A and L-1B. An L-1A visa is meant for managers and executives, which are defined by the United States Citinzehsip and Immigration Services (USCIS) as individuals who can make important decisions without much oversight. Additionally, they must have the ability to oversee others or the business of the branch without needing much supervision.

On the other hand, an L-1B visa denotes transferees with specialized knowledge or skills. This is more than just a €skilled worker.€ In fact, the transferee must have specific, uncommon knowledge regarding the company's product, services, or other business practices. In both L-1A and L-1B cases, the transferee must apply for the visa while the international company must fill out Form I-129 on behalf of the worker.

In order to qualify for an intracompany transferee visa, the person in question must have a legitimate connection with the international business. They must have served abroad with the corporation for at least one year out of the past three years. The branch itself or the intended subsidiary must have a definitive link with the international parent company. The transfer must have actual business purposes where the nonimmigrant worker participates in regular, continuous business on behalf of the company.

If you or your company is looking to transfer your work to the United States, you may be eligible for an L-1 visa. To learn more about your legal options and what goes into applying for entry into the United States, contact an experienced immigration attorney. The services of an attorney can expedite the immigration process and ensure that your applications are in order, preventing any potential delays.