Business Immigration
There are numerous pathways—both temporary visas and permanent residence options—for businesses to bring top executives, managers, and highly skilled employees to the United States. For companies seeking to relocate leadership or specialized personnel to the U.S., or to establish U.S. operations for the first time, the L-1 visa category offers several options. Depending on the circumstances, the H-1B specialty occupation visa and certain E-2 employee visas may also be viable. Additionally, there are a whole range of green card options available to business personnel that can work under the right circumstances.
Business immigration is highly complex and requires careful compliance with numerous legal and regulatory requirements. Allen Pavlow's team has long handled business immigration matters with success, and with an office in Buenos Aires, we are particularly well positioned to assist Argentine and Uruguayan companies to transfer personnel to U.S. offices, or to establish a corporate presence in the United States for the first time.
Visas and Greencards for Businesses
There are a numerous pathways for successfully obtaining visas and Green Cards for business personnel in the United States. Click on the links below to learn about some of the individual options.
L-1A Visas for Multinational Executives & Managers
The L-1A allows established foreign companies to transfer managers or executives from a foreign office to an affiliated U.S. office, or to launch U.S. corporate operations for the first time. This visa can offer up to seven years of status, work authorization for spouses, and a fairly straightforward pathway to the EB-1C green card.
The EB-1C Green Card for “Multinational” Executives or Managers
The EB-1C Green Card is for multinational executives and managers transferring to a U.S. office of their company. It offers permanent residency for qualifying business leaders and their families, and can often follow an L-1A visa as a natural next step toward a Green Card.
L-1A Visa for "New Offices" in the U.S.
The L-1A new-office visa allows an established foreign company send a Manager or Executive to the U.S. for purposes of launching U.S. operations for the first time, or to revive a dormant business operation. This visa is ideal for entrepreneurs and growing businesses that wish to establish their U.S. presence for the first time.
L-1B Visa for Specialized Knowledge Employees
The L-1B allows established foreign companies to transfer employees with advanced or unique knowledge to a U.S. office, or to launch U.S. operations for the first time. This visa offers up to five years of status, work authorization for spouses, and can be an excellent starting point for a successful long term career in the United states.
The H-1B Visa for "Speciality Occupation" Workers
The H-1B is a professional work visa for roles requiring specialized knowledge, and at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field. It is widely used for engineers, analysts, scientists, and other skilled professionals, though most applicants must enter the annual lottery; unless cap-exempt or holding Chilean/Singaporean nationality.
“Blanket” L- Visa Registration
A streamlined program that allows large multinationals to quickly transfer qualified employees to the U.S. by applying directly at consulates; bypassing the time-intensive preliminary processing by the U.S.-based United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency that is normally required. Once approved for "L Blanket" processing, fast and flexible L Visa immigration options become available to support U.S. operations from across the company’s global infrastructure.