L1B Visa Services

What is the L1B Visa?

The L1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that enables a multinational organization to transfer an employee with installation-specific knowledge from one office of the organization to the other in the United States. L1B Visa Services is helpful for companies that seek to bring employees with specific knowledge about the company’s goods and services or processes to the United States. This visa is very important when it comes to business in that it allows a company to have well-rounded employees to support the company’s efforts.

 

L1B Visa Services can prove very useful for any organization in that they help in the application process and in meeting the requirements of U.S. immigration laws. On balance, the L1B visa is important for organizations that require transporting highly skilled employees to their affiliated US offices to sustain or even build the business. Such services help businesses and organizations tap into the expertise of their people for increased productivity as well as creativity for success.

L1B Visa Requirements

To qualify for an L1B visa, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Work History: The applicant must have worked under the company in any of its stations for at least one year consecutively in the last three years.
  2. Job Role: The applicant must be planning on coming to work in the U.S., and the purpose of work must be to utilize specialized knowledge relating to goods and/or services offered by the company, or the processes that the company engages in.
  3. Company Relationship: The related parties in this case must include a U.S. company and a foreign company with a qualifying relationship, which may encompass altogether a parent company; branch, subsidiary or an affiliate.

“The L1B visa enables companies to bring their specialized knowledge to the U.S., fostering growth and innovation.”

The L1B Visa Application Process

Here’s an outline of the L1B visa application process:

  1. Petition: This enraged the US firm which in turn applied for an immigration worker petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the employee.
  2. Documentation: The applicant needs to present proof of the required relationship: between the U.S. organization and foreign organization; the applicant’s work experience; and specifics of the specialized knowledge.
  3. Approval: However, after the petition has been approved, the applicant goes for the L1B visa to a U.S. consulate or embassy.
  4. Interview: There is an interview conducted at the consulate/embassy where the applicant has to sit.
  5. Visa Issuance: However, most individuals will be required to obtain a visa for them to be allowed to live in the U.S. and begin their jobs.

Rights and Obligations of an L1 Visa Holder

  1. Rights: The L1 visa allows the visa holder to work for the sponsoring company in the U.S., travel to and from the U.S., and bring the spouse and unmarried minor children along with him or her.
  2. Obligations: An L1 visa irrespective of its category requires visa holders to abide by the U.S immigration laws to maintain legal status, maintain employment with the petitioning company, and pursue activities mentioned in the support documents of the visa petition.

Common Reasons for Denial of an L1 Visa

There are several reasons why an L1 visa application might be denied:

  1. Incomplete Documentation: Failure to gather adequate evidence as to qualification.
  2. Job Role Issues: It can be stated that there are no strict requirements concerning education in this particular field of work.
  3. Company Relationship Problems: It is not clear what the relationship between the U.S. and these foreign companies is or the relationship does not fulfil the requirements.

“Clear and thorough documentation is key to a successful visa application.”

Bringing Dependents to the USA on an L1 Visa

L1 visa allows spouses and unmarried children below 21 years of the L1 visa holder to accompany and live in the U.S. on an L2 visa. They can apply for a work permit to allow them to get a job and work in the United States, while the children can go to school.

L1B Processing Time

L1B visa takes quite some time to be processed; on average it may take about 3-6 months from the time the petition was filed until the L1B visa was granted. Starting the process early and making sure that all the documents needed for the process are well assembled can go a long way towards preventing delays.

Have questions or need more information? Reach out to L1 Visa Services now and let our team help you navigate the L1 visa process smoothly and efficiently. Contact us to get started!

Extending an L1B Visa

The first form of the L1B visa is initially issued for a period of up to 3 years. However, it can be renewed in two year periods and the maximum duration it can be renewed for is five years. Here’s how the extension process works:

 

  1. New Petition: In essence, the employer is required to file a new form I-129, petition for a nonimmigrant worker before the visa expires.
  2. Updated Documentation: L1B visa requires the employer to review the eligibility of the employee and to offer new documentation to prove this to the immigration authorities. This includes documentation of other connections between the U.S. and such foreign corporate affiliate or employer as well as specific identification of the employee applicant’s particularized skill and work during his/her sojourn in the United States.
  3. Review: If USCIS feels the petition and documentation is sufficient to enable it to provide the extension, then the petition is approved.
  4. Approval: If approved, the employee gets to work in the U.S longer and fills his/her specialized knowledge position.

This is why it is advisable to fill an extension petition several months before the current visa expires so that there be no lapse of legality.

L1B Visa to Green Card

Currently, L1B visa holders have the ability to file for a green card which will make them have a permanent residence in the United States. The process is thus a series of steps though it is meant to be relatively easy for users with prior specialist knowledge. Here’s a detailed overview:

 

  1. Eligibility for EB-2 or EB-3 Categories: According to L1B visa, the candidate must meet the criteria associated with EB-2 visa for professionals with masters or PhD, or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business, and EB-3 visa for workers with at least two years of experience in a professional capacity, or a member of the profession who requires such a degree.
  2. PERM Labor Certification: For the EB-2 and EB-3 category, unlike the EB-1C category, one has to go for PERM Labor Certification. This process includes the following trying to show that there is no qualified US worker who is willing to take the position.
  3. Form I-140: The U.S. employer submits an I-140 known as Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker on behalf of the personnel. This petition must contain clear and specific evidence of the qualification of the employee and the element of specialized knowledge.
  4. Adjustment of Status: Thus, an I-140 petition may be approved, and if a visa number is available, the employee may file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Through this application the employee is able to employ himself or herself as a permanent resident from a nonimmigrant status.
  5. Interview and Approval: An applicant may be interviewed by the USCIS in order to confirm the information submitted by him or her in the I 485 form. In that case, the green card is issued allowing the employee and possibly their family members to be residents of the United States legally and indefinitely.

Applying for a green card through L1B is the second still, a little more complicated way, but still provides an opportunity for obtaining permanent residence under the EB-2 or EB-3 categories.

How L1 Visa Services Help You

L1 Visa Services is always there to guide the clients from the time they seek for an L1B visa up to the time they get it. Our first step is to discuss your circumstances further and find out if you qualify for the L1B visa or not. Subsequently, we assist in collecting and compiling your supporting documents to make sure they are acceptable to USCIS.

After that, our team submits Form I-129 and other accompanying forms on your behalf, explaining every step of the process. We are always in close contact with you, checking the status of your petition and helping with any other requests or questions that may appear at any stage. We desire to demystify the L1B visa process for you to attain your life and business aspirations in The United States of America.

Conclusion

The L1B visa services enable the temporary transfer of employees in special knowledge within a subsidiary, branch or affiliate from overseas to a similar company in the United States of America. Excellent for fast companies that require input from headquarters in the United States in an attempt to boost their performance. For the employee to qualify for the so mentioned award, the employee needs to have worked in any country other than the United States for a period of not less than one year in the last three fiscal years. The L1B visa permits the holder to work for the sponsoring company, to have his or her family members follow him or her to the United States and to travel freely within the United States. It initially has a validity of three years and can be extended up to a cumulative of five years. Our L1B visa services also include the additional steps necessary for a change to a green card, including PERM Labor Certification.

 

Therefore, we boast of well rounded L1B visa services where we ensure to help you right from the beginning to the end. It is our guarantee to make sure that we assist our clients in their respective goals and objectives in the United States whether it’s on compliance, interview or renewal.

Ready to take the next step in your career journey with an L1B visa? Let L1 Visa Services guide you through the process. Contact us today for a consultation and start your application with confidence!