L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa Attorneys in Dallas, TX
The L-1 nonimmigrant visa allows U.S. employers to transfer employees from foreign offices to their U.S. offices.
- L-1A: For executives or managers. This visa allows a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the U.S. This classification also enables a foreign company without a U.S. office to send an executive or manager to the U.S. to establish one.
- L-1B: For employees with specialized knowledge related to the organization’s products, services, techniques, management, or procedures. This visa allows a U.S. employer to transfer a professional employee with specialized knowledge from one of its foreign offices to one of its U.S. offices. This classification also enables a foreign company without a U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee to the U.S. to help establish one.
What Are the Employer Requirements for L-1 Visas?
L-1A (Executive or Manager)
- Must have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, collectively referred to as qualifying organizations)
- Must be doing—or planning to do—business in the U.S. and in at least one other country for the duration of the employee’s stay in the U.S. “Doing business” means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods or services. The mere presence of an agent or office does not qualify.
- For new offices, must secure physical premises.
L-1B (Specialized Knowledge)
- Must meet the same qualifying relationship and ongoing business requirements.
- For new offices, must secure physical premises and demonstrate financial ability to support operations and compensate the employee.
Which Employees are Eligible for an L-1 Visa?
L-1 employees must have worked for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years prior to coming to the U.S. L-1A employees must be coming to the U.S. to work in an executive or managerial role, while L-1B employees must be coming to provide services requiring specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, techniques, management, or processes.
How Long Can L-1 Visa Employees Stay in the U.S.?
Employees coming to the U.S. to establish a new office may initially stay for one year, while all other L-1 employees may initially stay for three years.
- L-1A employees: Extensions may be granted in increments of up to two years, for a maximum stay of seven years.
- L-1B employees: Extensions may be granted in increments of up to two years, for a maximum stay of five years.
Why Choose Coleman Jackson, P.C. for L-1 Visa Assistance?
As experienced business immigration attorneys and counselors with expertise in accounting, tax, business, and immigration law, we help you navigate every aspect of the L-1 visa process, including:
- Documenting company relationships and business operations: Gather evidence showing a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate) and demonstrate ongoing business requirements.
- Business viability and financial documentation: Show that your company is operational, financially capable, and meets USCIS standards for transferring L-1 employees, including verifying investments and maintaining a clear chain-of-custody for funds.
- Employee eligibility support: Demonstrate that employees meet L-1 visa requirements, including prior qualifying work abroad and (for L-1B) the specialized knowledge needed to support U.S. operations.
- Branch or new office establishment: Assist with setting up a U.S. office according to L-1 visa requirements.
- Visa duration and extensions: Advise on initial stays and extensions for L-1A and L-1B.
- Visa renewals: Assist with renewing L-1 visas for employees and family members.
- Other business visas: Support H-1B and other business immigration visas.
Get Expert Guidance on Your L-1 Visa
At Coleman Jackson, P.C., our experienced business immigration team guides executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees through every step of the L-1 visa process, including eligibility, documentation, visa extensions, and renewals. Contact our Dallas-based business immigration attorneys today at (214) 599-0431 and take the first step toward bringing your top talent to the U.S.
