We recently had an L-1A Visa Approved for the CFO of a Software Company. The CFO was granted the L-1A Visa for the maximum period allowed under the L-1A visa petitions for transfer of an executive. The L-1A Visa was processed and approved by CBP at a major international airport in Canada.
The L-1 visa is a dual intent nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign businesses, investors and entrepreneurs who want to expand their operations in the United States to send an executive, manager or specialized knowledge employee to establish an office in the US. The L1 Visa also allows US companies to transfer an executive, manager or employee with specialized knowledge from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. The initial L1 Visa for Canadian citizens can be processed directly at a port of entry or preclearance locations. Multiple entries into the US are permitted on an L1 Visa.
To learn more about all the L-1 visa requirements visit L-1 visa (L1-A & L-1B) and  L1 Visa for Canadians or contact our L-1 visa lawyer to schedule a consultation.
L-1 Visa Overview
The L-1 visa allows a company to transfer an executive, manager or a specialized knowledge employee from one of the company’s affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States.
For international investors and foreign entrepreneurs whose businesses do not yet have an established presence in the United States, the L-1 new office visa allows a foreign enterprise to send a key manager, executive, or founder to the US to launch new business operations.
Key L-1 Visa Requirements
To qualify for an L-1 intra-company transfer, foreign national applicants and sponsoring US employers must satisfy three primary criteria:
- 1-Year Foreign Employment Rule: The employee must have been continuously employed full-time by the foreign entity for at least one year within the three years immediately preceding the USCIS petition filing.
- Qualifying Corporate Relationship: The US company and foreign business must share common ownership and control through a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate relationship.
- Active Operations: Both the foreign parent company and the US entity must maintain active, continuous business operations throughout the duration of the transferee’s stay in the United States.
Partner with Malescu Law for L-1 Visa Success
At Malescu Law, our Miami-based US immigration attorneys specialize in L-1 visa. We guide multinational companies and foreign nationals through the complexities of the L-1A and L-1B approval process, including expertise in L-1 visas for Canadian citizens.
Our Miami, Florida L-1 Visa lawyers have a proven track record of overcoming complex USCIS Requests for Evidence (RFE), including in challenging Specialized Knowledge and New Office cases.
We provide US immigration representation nationwide, including all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Contact us now or schedule a consultation.
Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Immigration Lawyers