With its thriving economy and diverse job market, the US attracts talent from around the world, including highly skilled professionals from India.
Many professionals from India also seek employment opportunities in the US for better life, and career prospects and to earn money. There are various ways for Indians to explore employment opportunities in the US, such as the popular H1B visa program.
The H1B visa program is one of the most sought-after routes for Indian professionals to work in the US, allowing skilled workers to be employed.
Unlike the H1B visa, there is also an L1 Visa which allows you to migrate to the US and comes under the non-immigrant Visa Category.
If you are looking to migrate to the US, then exploring your options can be very helpful. In this article, we will discuss What is L1 Visa, benefits of L1 Visa, Eligibility, and much more.
Table of Contents
What is an L1 Visa?
The L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa category that allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their branches in other countries to their US offices branch. It falls under the umbrella of intra-company transferee visas and is divided into two subcategories:
L1A Visa
This category is for managers and executives who are being transferred to the US to work in a managerial or executive post within the same company or its affiliate, subsidiary, or parent company.
L1B Visa
This category is for employees with specialized knowledge who are being transferred to the US to work in a specialized knowledge capacity within the same company or its affiliate, subsidiary, or parent company.
Benefits of L1 Visa
The following are the benefits of L1 Visa-
- The L1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer key employees from their foreign offices to their offices in the United States
- L1 visa holders have the flexibility to work for their employer’s US office in either a managerial/executive capacity (L1A visa) or a specialized knowledge capacity (L1B visa)
- L1 visas typically have shorter processing times compared to other work visa
- L1 visa holders are allowed to pursue permanent residency (green card) in the United States while maintaining their L1 visa status
- Spouses of L1 visa holders (L2 visa holders) are eligible to apply for work authorization in the United States
- Unlike some other work visa categories, the L1 visa does not require employers to obtain labor certification
- L1 visa status can be extended beyond the initial period, allowing companies to retain valuable employees
Eligibility for L1 Visa
The following are the benefits of L1 Visa-
- The employment of the applicant must have an employed status in the multi-national company and must have a qualifying relationship with a US entity
- The applicant must hold a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position with the multinational organization
- The applicant must be employed with the current employer for at least a year
- The applicant must be transferred to the US to work in a similar managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position
- The applicant must intend to depart the US upon completion of their authorized stay
- The applicant must comply with all US immigration laws and regulations
How to Apply for an L1 Visa?
You can follow these steps to apply for an L1 Visa-
- The very first step is to check whether you meet the eligibility criteria for L1 Visa and talk to your employer regarding the internal transfer
- Now, you’ll have to gather all the required documents so that you can start the L1 Visa application process
- Fill out Form DS-160 online through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website by providing accurate information related to your employer, US company, and much more
- Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, which is typically payable online via the CEAC website
- You’ll now have to schedule an appointment for a visa interview at the US embassy or consulate whichever is nearby to your home
- When you visit for a Visa interview, you may be required to provide biometric information and meet the visa officer to participate in the interview
- After the interview is complete, wait for the application to be processed and after the processing is completed, you’ll receive the decision related to your L1 Visa
- If approved, your passport will be returned to you with the L1 visa stamp allowing entry into the United States
Documents Required for L1 Visa
The following are the documents required for L1 Visa-
- A valid passport with a validity period extending beyond the intended period of stay in the United States
- Identity Process- Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, etc.
- Address Proof- Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, etc.
- Form DS-160 filled or online
- Passport-sized Photographs
- Form I-129
- Documentation verifying the applicant’s employment
- Documentation demonstrating the relationship between the foreign employer
- Evidence establishing that the applicant holds a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position
- Proof of Prior Employment
- Additional documents may be required based on individual circumstances and the discretion of the consular officer
Cost of L1 Visa
The following is the cost of L1 Visa-
| Fee Type | Cost (USD) | Cost (INR) |
| USCIS Filing Fee (Form I-129) | $460 | ₹38,000 |
| USCIS Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee | $500 | ₹41,500 |
| Visa Application Fee for Consular Processing | $190 | ₹15,700 |
| Premium Processing Fee (Optional) | $1,440 | ₹1,19,000 |
| Public Law 114-113 Fee | $4,500 | ₹3,73,000 |
| Total | $7,090 | ₹5,87,000 |
FAQ
An L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa category that allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their foreign offices to their offices in the United States. It permits individuals to work temporarily in the US in managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacities for their sponsoring employer.
Employees of multinational companies who have continuously worked for at least one year in managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge positions can apply for L1 Visa to migrate to the US temporarily.
The sponsoring employer must have a qualifying relationship with a foreign entity a US entity. The employer must also demonstrate the ability to support the employee’s salary and provide a suitable job position in the US.
No, the L1 visa is not available to self-employed individuals or owners of their businesses. It is specifically for employees of multinational corporations being transferred to work in the US.
The initial period of stay granted on an L1 visa is typically up to three years for L1B visa holders and up to seven years for L1A visa holders.
Yes, L1 visa holders may be eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residency) through employment-based immigration processes, such as the EB-1C immigrant visa category for multinational managers and executives.
I’m Shiv Kumar, a graduate with a passion for finance, marketing, and technology. My journey into finance started with a desire to understand money management and investing.
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