The L1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for employees who are transferring to a US branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their foreign employer.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Nonimmigrant Visa for Intracompany Transferees
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Available to Executives, Managers, and Specialized Knowledge Employees
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Total Time Limit in Status for Executive or Manager: 7 years
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Total Time Limit in Status for Specialized Knowledge Employee: 5 years
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Visa Granted in 3 Year Increments; 1 Year Initial Increment for New Offices
REQUIREMENTS
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The Employee must have been employed abroad as an executive, manager, or in a position requiring specialized knowledge
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The Employee must have been employed in that capacity for one out of the last three years immediately prior to being transferred to the United States
- A qualifying relationship must exist between the United States and foreign company: it must be a branch, affiliate, or subsidiary
PROCEDURE
'SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE PROFESSIONAL' DEFINITION
A “Specialized knowledge professional” refers to someone with a special knowledge of the company’s products, services, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise regarding the organization’s processes and procedures.
'EXECUTIVE' DEFINITION
An “Executive” is one who directs the management of the company or a major part or function of the organization; establishes the goals and policies of the organization, component, or function; exercises wide latitude in discretionary decision-making, and receives only general supervision or direction from higher level executives, the board of directors, or stockholders of the company.
'MANAGER' DEFINITION
A “Manager” manages the organization, a department, or a function of the organization. He/she also supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees, or manages an essential function within the organization, or a department. This person has authority to hire, fire and recommend other personnel actions if another employee or other employees are directly supervised. If no other employee is directly supervised, then the “manager” is someone who functions at a senior level within the organizational hierarchy or with respect to the function managed. This person is expected to have discretion over day-to-day operations of the activity or function for which he/she has authority.
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