The L1 visa is a type of visa that allows foreign companies to transfer employees to their U.S. subsidiary or affiliate. This visa category is particularly useful for businesses that operate in multiple countries and need to transfer employees to the U.S. on a temporary basis. However, the L1 visa process can be complex and time-consuming, so it’s important to have a good understanding of the requirements and the help of an experienced L1 visa lawyer.
L1 Visa Validity
The L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, which means that it is intended for temporary stays in the U.S. The initial validity of an L1 visa is typically three years for employees of a new office and five years for employees of an existing office. The L1 visa can be extended for an additional two years for a total stay of seven years for employees of a new office and five years for employees of an existing office.
L1 Visa Eligibility
To be eligible for an L1 visa, the employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one year out of the last three years and must have a specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, or processes. Additionally, the foreign company and the U.S. subsidiary or affiliate must have a qualifying relationship, meaning that they must both be engaged in commercial trade or services and one must be a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch of the other.
L1 Visa Processing Time
The processing time for an L1 visa can vary depending on the location of the U.S. consulate and the workload of the consular officers. However, the processing time is typically around two to four months. It’s important to note that the processing time may be longer if the application is selected for further administrative processing, which can occur if the U.S. government needs additional information or if the application raises security concerns.
L1 Visa Extension
The L1 visa can be extended for an additional two years for a total stay of seven years for employees of a new office and five years for employees of an existing office. To apply for an extension, the employee must continue to meet the eligibility requirements for the L1 visa and the U.S. company must continue to be engaged in commercial trade or services.
L1 Visa Cost
The cost of an L1 visa application includes the visa application fee and the fraud prevention and detection fee. The visa application fee is $190 and the fraud prevention and detection fee is $500. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with the L1 visa process, such as the cost of obtaining a medical examination and the cost of obtaining legal assistance from an L1 visa lawyer.
In conclusion At WriterWebs, L1 visa is a great option for businesses that operate in multiple countries and need to transfer employees to the U.S. on a temporary basis. However, the L1 visa process can be complex and time-consuming, so it’s important to have a good understanding of the requirements and the help of an experienced L1 visa lawyer. This post covers all the important aspects of L1 visa including validity, eligibility, processing time, extension and cost, which can help you in the process.