L-1 Visa (Intracompany Transferee)

The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign workers to temporarily enter the United States to work for a related company. This visa category is specifically for workers who are being transferred to a company's office in the United States from a company outside the country.

To qualify for an L-1 visa, the foreign worker must have worked for the company abroad for at least one continuous year within the three years prior to their transfer to the United States. Additionally, the worker must be coming to the United States to work in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity for the company.

The L-1 visa is generally valid for a period of up to three years, but it can be extended for up to an additional two years. One of the benefits of the L-1 visa is that it allows the worker to bring their spouse and children to the United States with them. The spouse is also able to apply for work authorization while in the United States.

It's important to note that the L-1 visa is only available to workers who are being transferred to a company that is related to the company they are currently working for. This means that the two companies must either be affiliated through common ownership or control, or must be subsidiaries of the same parent company.

If you are a foreign worker and are being transferred to a company in the United States, the L-1 visa may be a good option for you. However, it's important to carefully review the requirements and consult with an immigration attorney to ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria.