L Visas

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What is an L Visa?

There are several different types of visas a person may apply to gain entry and stay in the United States. The L visa is a visa for company executives and managers to either transfer from a company’s foreign offices to one of its offices within the United States, or to establish an office for the company within the United States.

The L visa is granted for up to 3 years, although an employee entering the U.S. to establish a new office is granted an L visa for one year. The L Visa can be extended for up to seven years. Spouse and children of the employee may also enter the United States with the L visa applicant, with the L-2 visa. They are granted the same stay as the L-1 applicant.

How do I qualify for an L Visa?

The qualification requirements are different for executives and managers transferring from a company’s foreign offices to its U.S. offices, and individuals entering the United States to establish a company’s U.S. business office.

In order for one of its employees to qualify as a transferee:

• The company in question must have a branch, parent company, subsidiary, etc. in a foreign nation.
• The company must be doing business in the United States and at least one other country

In order for an executive or manager to qualify for the L visa themselves, they must:

• have been employed with the company for one continuous year of the past 3, and
• enter the U.S. with the intent to provide executive or managerial services for the company; generally, this means the individual has some decision making authority or oversees other employees.

In order for an individual to obtain an L Visa for the purposes of establishing new offices within the United States:

• The company must have secured physical premises for the company
• The employee must have been employed with the company for one continuous year of the past 3, and
• The employee must be employed in an executive or managerial capacity