L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa

Intro

This category is for managers, executives, or especially knowledgable employees who work at a company in a foreign country that has an associated entity inside the U.S. to come to the U.S. and work for the associated entity. The U.S. company must be a branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or some type of joint-venture partner of the non-U.S. employer.

Details

• The worker must have worked for at least one  year outside of the U.S. out of the three previous years preceeding application for admission as a manager, executive, or especially knowledgable employee at the company.
• The L-1 Visa category doesn't require the worker to have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, unlike the H-1B visa
• Unlike the H-1B category there  is no quota for the L-1 visa
• An individual in L-1 status can work legally in the United States for the L-1 sponsor for up to three years on the first visa (one year if it's a new office). Thereafter, he/she can apply for extensions of two years at a time. Managers or executives can apply for two extensions (7 years total) and individuals with specialized knowledge can apply for one extension (5 years total).
• The L-1 transferee must be working in the same capacity in the United States as they were working in the foreign country.
• A foreign national under this classification can pursue permanent residence while under this status.