What is the L1 Visa?

In this globalized world, the United States stands out as an attractive destination for professionals seeking high-paying jobs and career growth.

The US offers numerous opportunities for skilled individuals to advance their careers and pursue their dreams. If you are looking to migrate to the US, you’ll have to understand its VISA Structure and explore the various options available for migration.

The U.S. visa system is designed to accommodate a wide range of individuals, from tourists and students to skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

Among the different visa categories, the L1 visa holds a special place for professionals looking to transfer to a U.S.-based branch of their current employer or start a new venture in the country.

This visa category, often overlooked compared to its more popular counterparts like the H1B visa, offers unique advantages and opportunities for qualified candidates. In this article, we will discuss what is L1 Visa, what are the benefits, requirements, and much more.

What is the L1 Visa?

The L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa category in the United States, specifically designed for intracompany transferees. It allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their foreign offices to the United States.

There are two subcategories under the L1 visa:

• L1A for executives and managers
• L1B for employees with specialized knowledge

This visa enables companies to bring in key personnel to support their U.S. operations while providing skilled professionals with an avenue to work in the U.S. and gain valuable international experience.

What are the Benefits of an L1 Visa?

The following are the benefits of an L1 Visa-

• L1 visa allows you to get a transfer from a foreign office to a U.S. office within the same company, facilitating the exchange of talent and expertise across borders
• L1 visa holders can pursue green card which is permanent residency while working in the US opening the opportunity for long-term immigration
• L1 visa holders have the flexibility to travel in and out of the U.S. without requiring to apply for VISA again and again
• L1 visa holders’ spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible for L2 visas, which grant them authorization to live and work in the U.S. during the L1 holder’s stay
• L1 visas typically have shorter processing times compared to other work visas, allowing companies to quickly transfer employees

Eligibility for L1 Visa

The following are the eligibility for applying for the L1 Visa-

• The applicant must have been employed by a foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years
• The company you are working for must have an established relationship with the US entity registered in the United States of America in the form of a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate relationship
• The position you are applying for must meet the eligibility criteria set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for L1 visa classification
• The applicant must have been continuously employed by the foreign company for the entire one-year period preceding the filing of the L1 visa petition
• The applicant must demonstrate that they possess the requisite skills, expertise, or managerial responsibilities required for the position

How to Apply for an L1 Visa

The following are the steps that you can follow to apply for an L1 Visa-

• The very first step for applying for an L1 Visa is to get a transfer offer from your current employer
• Now, start the application process by filling out the L1 Visa application form after which you’ll have to file for the I-129 form
• There are two ways to file Form I-129-
• • Individual Petition: The employer submits a petition to USCIS for employee transfers. Once approved, employees can apply at the US Embassy, and the employer gets Form I-797
  • Blanket Petitions-  Large companies can use L1 blanket petitions to send multiple employees to the US with just one USCIS approval. They must file Form I-129S and a non-immigrant petition based on the L1 blanket petition
• After that, You need to file Form DS-160 by submitting all the necessary information
• After successfully filing all the forms, you must pay fees for the L1 visa to proceed with the application procedure
• Now, you need to schedule an interview at US Embassy. On the interview day, you must carry all your original documents, including your interview appointment letter, which you will receive while scheduling your interview

What Documents are Needed to Apply for an L1 Visa?

The following are the documents needed to apply for an L1 Visa-

• A valid passport
• Two passport-size photographs
• DS-160 confirmation page and code
• Receipts of L1 visa fees
• Individual petitions:
• Form I-129 and one photocopy
• Form I-797
• Blanket petitions:
  • Form I-129S and two photocopies
• Three photocopies of Form I-797
• Confirmation letter for transfer and job description
• Employment proof of working at least 1 year in the past 3 years with the sponsor company
• Previous employer’s letters and supervisor’s contact information
• Contact information of two workers from previous and current companies
• Education certificates
• Income tax records
• Payment statements
• An organizational chart showing your position in the company
• Patent and trademark registrations if you possess any specialized knowledge for your company

What will be the L1 Visa Cost?

The following is the application cost for the L1 Visa-

Fee Type	Cost (USD)	Cost (INR)
USCIS Filing Fee (Form I-129)	$460	₹38,000
USCIS Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee	$500	₹41,500
Visa Application Fee for Consular Processing	$190	₹15,700
Premium Processing Fee (Optional)	$1,440	₹1,19,000
Public Law 114-113 Fee	$4,500	₹3,73,000
Total	$7,090	₹5,87,000

Note: the application fee listed above is an estimation of the cost that may be involved in filling the L1 Visa. The cost can change depending on the situation to situation.

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