Process to Apply For L-1 Intra Corporate Transferee Visa
The
L1 visa is a nonimmigrant and famous work visa in the us and Canada because it
is easily apply and once it is obtained, the L1 visa is
suitable for employees of U.S and Canadian…
Overview of L1 visa
The L1 visa is a nonimmigrant and
famous work visa in the us and Canada because it is easily apply and once it is
obtained, the
L1 visa is suitable for employees of U.S and Canadian companies who
are being transferred by their current employer to enter into the U.S. to
handle organization or a major function or division of an organization.
Documents required for L-1 Visa Application
- Fill up visa
application Form DS-156
- Current passport
size photograph, 50mm X 50mm of each applicant showing full face without
head covering against a light background
- A
passport, valid for travel to the U.S. for at least six months longer than
your intended visit
- Employee
copy of Form I-797 Approval Notice
- Copy of Form
I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant visa. This petition is filed with the
USCIS by your employer
Eligibility for L-1 Visa
Any Employer who has worked for company since at least last
one year as Manager or Executive in the preceding three years may qualify as L1
Executive.
Benefits of the L1 Visa
- Your
spouse can apply for a work permit by filing Form I-765 and engage
in employment
- The spouse and children
under 21 are allowed to accompany the L-1 visa holder during the period of
the transferee status. The Spouse may receive work authorization.
- Your
dependents can live with you in the U.S.
- In limited
circumstances, it may be possible to convert the L-1 visa for executives
and managers to lawful permanent residence status.
- L-1 visas are granted
initially for 1 to three years with extensions available in three-year
increments, with a total stay not to exceed seven years.
- You may
legitimately come to the U.S. as an L1 intra-company transferee and at the
same time, lawfully seek to become a permanent resident
- The United States
Citizenship and Immigration Service usually decide petitions in 30-60
days.
- The intra-company
transferee is allowed to work for the U.S. subsidiary or affiliate
company.
- You can
freely travel in and out of the U.S. while on a valid L1 visa
Limitations of the L1 Visa
- L-1 visa holders may
remain only as long as the U.S. Company qualifies as the same company or
subsidiary or affiliate status with the foreign company.
- There must be continual
existence of the foreign company during the transferee’s stay in the
U.S.
- L-1 visas may not be
extended beyond a total of seven years.
- The spouse and children
are allowed to reside in the U.S. The Spouse may receive work
authorization. There is currently no work authorization provision for
children (just spouses).
- New employees may not
be transferred prior to serving one year abroad as an executive, manager ,
or specialized skill employee of the foreign parent company.
About the author
Andy J. Semotiuk is an US and Canadian Immigration Lawyer has
practiced law for over 30 years and served over 15,000 clients. He specializes
in Spousal sponsorships visa, Investor work visas and Skilled Worker
Application. He is also an author of “The Young Professional - A Practical
Guide to Success in Your Career”. He can be reached by email at andy@myworkvisa.com or through his
website at http://www.myworkvisa.com.
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