The L-1A Nonimmigrant Visa for Multinational Managers and Executives
The L-1A is often the most viable option for quickly transferring executives and managers from a company’s foreign operations to its U.S. office—whether to lead an established U.S. entity, or to launch new U.S. operations. Although most commonly used for well-established companies to send top executives and managers to the United States quickly for longterm assignments, the "L-1A New Office Visa" provides a valuable investment visa for established entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking to expand into the U.S. market for the first time or revive a dormant corporate operation.
The L-1A Visa requires a clearly defined managerial or executive role and a qualifying corporate relationship between a foreign entity and the U.S. entity that will employ the executive or manager. This visa can be obtained quickly through Premium Processing, and often serves as a direct stepping stone to the EB-1C Green Card. Allen Pavlow's team has successfully guided many companies and executives through the process of obtaining L-1As.
1
L-1A Visa Benefits:
-
Allows up to 7 years in the U.S. (initial 3-year approval plus two 2-year extensions), with the ability to recapture time spent abroad to maximize eligibility.
-
Spouses and children under 21 can obtain L-2 status, and spouses are eligible for employment authorization.
-
Premium Processing is available, making this a fast and efficient visa option for multinational companies.
-
Ideal for executives who travel frequently, since time spent outside the U.S. can be “recaptured,” effectively extending the total available period of stay.
-
Provides a strong and commonly used pathway to U.S. Permanent Residency through the EB-1C Green Card.
2
Basic L-1 A Visa Requirements:
-
There must be a qualifying multinational corporate relationship between the U.S. company and the foreign company (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate).
-
The transferee must have worked for the legally related corporate entity abroad, full-time for at least 1 continuous year within the last 3 years in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role.
-
The employee must be coming to the U.S. to serve in a managerial or executive position for the related U.S. entity.
**Disclaimer: This website provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. You should not rely on this information without consulting a qualified attorney. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.**
