Intra-Company Transferees (L-1A Visa/L-1B Visa)

L-1A Visa/L-1B Visa Definition:

The intra-company transfer of international managers, executives, and persons with specialized knowledge from a foreign company to a subsidiary, parent, affiliate, or branch of the foreign company in the U.S. This is known as the L1A visa (also written L-1A visa). The L1B visa (aka L-1B visa) is also available for the intra-company transfer of persons with specialized knowledge but does not allow permanent residence.

To Qualify for a L-1A Visa/L-1B Visa:

1. The L1A visa and L1B visa applicant must have worked for the foreign company as an executive, manager, or employee with specialized knowledge for at least one full-time year in the past three years before the intra-company transfer.
   
2. A related company in the US must exist or be established.
   
3. The foreign company must actively be carrying on business and have other employees to assume the L1A visa and L1B applicant's role while that person is in the US

L-1A Visa/L-1B Visa Length:

A L1A visa or a L1B visa is valid for one or three years (depending on the age of the US company) with extensions possible in two-year increments. The maximum stay for managers or executives is seven years (five for specialized knowledge employees).

Advantages L-1A Visa/L-1B Visa:

For L1A visa managers or executives, an application for a permanent visa can be made after the US company has been in existence for at least one year (not available to L1B visa specialized knowledge employees).

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