L Visas - Intra-Company Transfers

Dallas Immigration Lawyers Serving Clients Nationwide

Many companies enjoy a global presence through their affiliates in the United States and around the world. As corporations continue to expand, the demand for L visas have increased. Companies with related operational entities in the U.S. can seek to transfer certain employees to these offices under the L visa, which allows foreign national executives, managers, and professionals with specialized knowledge to work in the U.S. Similar to H-1B visa holders, L visa holders benefit from dual intent and have access to premium processing for quicker decisions.

Types of L-Visas:

• L-1 Visa (Intracompany Transfer of Executive or Manager): A U.S. employer can transfer an executive or manager working from a foreign office to an office located in the U.S. If a foreign company does not currently have an affiliate U.S. office, the L-1 visa can also be granted for the purpose of creating an office.
• L-2 Visa (Intracompany Transfer of Employee with Specialized Knowledge): Employees with a specialized knowledge or skillset can be brought to work in the U.S. using the L-2 visa.

Executives and managers can remain in the U.S. for up to 7 years.

Professionals with specialized knowledge are allowed up to 5 years of stay in the U.S.

Requirements for the L-1 Classification

Inorder to qualify, the employer will need to show that he or she:

• Has a qualifying relationship with the foreign company
• Currently is or will be doing business as an employer in the U.S. and another country

At Akula & Associates, our Dallas immigration attorneys and team can advise and assist businesses with all of their global staffing needs. We can determine eligibility and provide guidance throughout the process.

If you would like to speak with our legal team, call us at (844) 299-5003.