Orlando L-1 Visa Lawyer

Helping Multinational Workers Transfer to the U.S.

If you are a foreign worker who has been employed by a multinational company for at least one year, you may be eligible for an L-1 or L-1B visa. This document allows employees to transfer between a foreign company and a company in the U.S. Such transfers are ideal for employees sent to the U.S. to open a new office or work for a company that does not have any U.S. employees.

For experienced guidance throughout the L-1A and L-1B visa application process, turn to The Sekou Clarke Law Group. Our Orlando L-1 visa attorney is here to help you achieve your immigration goals.

Call (407) 269-8774 or contact our Orlando L-1 visa lawyer online to learn more about our L-1A and L-1B visa services.

What Is the L-1 Visa?

The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa. It allows multinational employees to be transferred to the U.S. to work for a related company.

The L-1A visa is for employees in managerial or executive roles. The L-1B visa is for employees who have specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets.

The L-1 visa is a dual intent visa. You can use it to pursue permanent residency in the U.S. while you are working here on a temporary basis.

What Are the L-1A & L-1B Visa Requirements?

To obtain an L-1A or L-1B visa, you must meet several requirements.

The requirements for an L-1A visa include:

• You must be a manager or executive. These titles mean that you:
  • Direct an organization’s management
  • Establish the organization's goals and policies
  • Direct a major component or function of the organization
  • Have broad discretionary authority over day-to-day operations
• You must have worked for the company for at least one of the three years before you apply for the L-1A visa.
• You must be transferring to the U.S. to manage the U.S. office or a department, subdivision, or component of the company.

The requirements for an L-1B visa include:

• You must have worked for the company for at least one of the three years before you apply for the L-1B visa.
• You must be transferring to the U.S. to work for a qualifying organization or a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the qualifying organization.
• You must have specialized knowledge about the company’s products, services, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets.

Additional requirements for both visas include:

• The U.S. company and the foreign company must have a qualifying relationship, which can be a parent company, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.
• The U.S. company must be or will be doing business as an employer in the U.S. and at least one other country during the entire period of the L-1 visa holder’s stay in the U.S.
• The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work for the related company in either a managerial/executive or specialized knowledge capacity.

If you are unsure if you meet the requirements, our attorneys can help you determine your eligibility. Our L-1 visa lawyer in Orlando can also guide you through the application process and help you gather the necessary evidence to prove your eligibility.

How to Apply for an L-1A or L-1B Visa

To apply for an L-1A or L-1B visa, you must submit Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must also include supporting documents that demonstrate your eligibility for the visa. If USCIS approves your petition, you can then apply for the L-1A or L-1B visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.

After you arrive in the U.S., you can apply for an L-1 visa extension. L-1A visa holders can extend their stay for up to seven years, and L-1B visa holders can extend their stay for up to five years.

If you are transferring to the U.S. to open a new office, your initial stay can be for one year. After that, you can apply for a visa extension. The maximum total stay for an L-1A visa holder who is opening a new office is five years.

Can I Bring My Family to the U.S. on an L-1 Visa?

Yes, you can bring your spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the U.S. on an L-1 visa. Your family members can apply for an L-2 visa, which allows them to live and study in the U.S. They can also work in the U.S., but they must first apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. The EAD is a work permit that permits them to work anywhere in the U.S.

What Is the L-1 Visa Interview Like?

After you submit your application, you must attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. The officer will ask you questions to determine your eligibility for the visa. You may be asked questions about your job, your employer, and your plans while you are in the U.S.

Our lawyers can help you prepare for the interview and give you valuable tips and guidance concerning the process.

Why Choose Our Firm?

The Sekou Clarke Law Group has a proven track record of successfully helping clients obtain L-1 visas. Our L-1 visa attorney in Orlando can help you navigate the complexities of the application process and gather the necessary evidence to prove your eligibility. We know how important it is for you to obtain a visa, and we are here to provide you with the exceptional legal services you need and deserve.

To learn more about our L-1A and L-1B visa services in Orlando and beyond, contact our L-1 visa attorney by calling (407) 269-8774 today!