The L-1 visa is a temporary non-immigrant visa which allows companies to relocate foreign qualified employees to its U.S. subsidiary or parent company. The qualified employee must have worked for a subsidiary, parent, affiliate or branch office of the company for at least one year out of the last three years. The U.S. company must be a parent company, child company, or sister company to the foreign company. The L-1 visa may also include non-profit, religious, or charitable organizations.

 

L-1 visa applicants generally are granted for a three period, however, in case the U.S. subsidiary or parent company are newly incorporated company without much of business operation, L-1 visa applicants are initially granted on a one year base, and aliens are allowed to extend the period of stay by sending formal petition to the U.S. Immigration Services.

 

Types of L visa: 

 

• L-1A visas – Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager

 

• L-1B visas – Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge

 

*Document Check List: 

 

From U.S. subsidiary or parent company： 

• U.S. company state incorporation documents

• Employment Identification Number (EIN)

• Stock certificates

• Lease of business premises

• Pictures of the main office

• U.S. company's bank statements

• Accounting reports

• Corporate income tax return

• Business brochures 

• All contracts and invoices with third parties

• Company letterhead

• Company's business plan

 

From the Foreign subsidiary or parent company:

• Business registration documents and license

• Article of incorporation

• Income tax records for the past three years

• Accounting records

• Company's structure information or organizational chart

• Business brochures or products information

• Commercial transaction records

• Bank statements

• Company letterhead

• Pictures of company’s main premise

 

From the alien applicant:

• Resume

• Diploma/Degree

• Employment contract or evidence of employment

• Board resolution or appointment documents evidencing the transfer

• Other documents showing the transferee’s capability in the executive position

 

L-2 Visa 

 

The L-2 visa holders are generally the spouses or children of the L-1 visa holders. upon request from the U.S. consulate or immigration Service, the L-2 visa holder may be allowed to study in the U.S public school or legally work in the U.S.