What is an L-1A visa?
The L1A nonimmigrant visa allows a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also allows a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send an executive or manager to the United States with the purpose of establishing one.
Can I bring my family to the U.S. with an L-1A visa?
Yes, you may be accompanied by your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. Members of your family can seek admission under an L-2 visa.
For how long is an L-1 visa valid?
Qualified employees entering the U.S. to establish a new office are allowed a maximum initial stay of one year.
All other qualified employees will be allowed a maximum initial stay of three years. Requests for extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to an additional two years, seven years is the maximum limit .
Who can apply for an L-1A visa?
An employee may apply for an L 1A visa if both the employer and the employee meet the following requirements:
- Currently are or will be doing business as an employer in the United States plus in at least one other country, directly or through a qualifying organization for the duration of his or her stay in the United States as an L1A.
- Doing business means regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and/or services by a qualifying organization in the United States and abroad.
- The employee must be working for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding his or her admission to the United States.
- The employee must be seeking to enter the United States to work as an executive or managerial capacity for a branch of the same employer or one of its qualifying organizations.
- The U.S. employer must be doing business for at least one year before the application.
What documents are required?
- Form I-129 – Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker submitted by the employer.
- Federal tax returns, financial statements, or annual reports showing that the employer can pay the wage offered to the employee.
- Evidence that the U.S. employer has been doing business for at least one year before the application.
- The intended employee's passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States.
- Evidence and a cover letter that describes the Name of the foreign employer, Position offered in the U.S., Position held abroad, Years of employment, Date transferred to the U.S., if applicable, and Claimed relationship between the foreign employer and the U.S. petitioner (affiliate, subsidiary, joint venture, etc.)
- Prospective Workers apply for a Visa and/or Admission outside the United States providing all the necessary documentation.
The list may vary depending on each individual case, you may be requested only one of the documents listed above or you might be requested additional documents
How much does it cost?
U.S. government fees are mandatory and nonrefundable:
- USCIS filing fee to file Form I-129: $460
- USCIS biometric services fee: $85
- L-visa type fees, paid by the intended employee outside of the U.S.: $190
- Border Crossing Card for Mexican Citizens over 15 years of age: $160
The total cost can vary depending on each individual case. The figures above do not include attorney fees, professional assistance and translation fees, travel costs, securing needed documents, postage, etc. Government fees may change by the decision of the government.
Application advisory fee charged by Immigrate.tech: $1,399
Application tips:
- Submit your valid and up-to-date official documents
- Answer all of the questions honestly
- Avoid spelling mistakes
- Provide as much information as you can
- Do not provide false, misleading or fraudulent information or documents