U.S. Visas: L-1A

An L-1A visa is issued to intra-company transferees at a managerial or executive level. The L-1A visa is also issued to intra-company executive or managers coming to the U.S. to open a new entity affiliated with a foreign entity.

What are the Requirements for an L-1A Visa?
How Long is the L-1A Visa Valid?

What are the Requirements for an L-1A Visa?

VISANOW can prepare and file the L-1A application if the applicant is presently in the U.S. in valid status or if the applicant is outside the U.S.

An L-1A visa application must meet the following three requirements:

1. The U.S. employer (“Petitioner”) must be affiliated with the company abroad, as a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
2. The L-1A Beneficiary must have been employed at the company abroad at a managerial or executive level for at least one of the previous three years before the L-1A visa application is filed with the USCIS.
3. The L-1A Beneficiary must be coming to work at the United States company as an executive or manager.

A “manager” engages in the following activities:

• Manages an organization, department, subdivision or function;
• Supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional or managerial employees or manages an “essential function”;
• Has the authority to make personnel decisions or to function at a “senior level”; and,
• Has discretion over the day-to-day working of the business or function for which he/she has authority.

An “executive” engages in the following activities:

• Manages an organization or a major component/function of that organization;
• Has the authority to establish goals and policies;
• Has a wide latitude in discretionary decision-making; and,
• Is supervised only by higher-ranking executives, the board of director or stockholders of the company.

How Long is the L-1A Visa Valid?

Generally, L-1A visa holders are initially admitted to the U.S. for a three year period. An L-1A visa may be extended in two year increments up to a total of seven years.

If the L-1A visa holder is coming to the U.S. to open a new office, he/she will be initially admitted for one year.

VISANOW can assist both in the preparation of the initial L-1A petition and also in any subsequent L-1A extensions.