BUSINESS VISAS TO THE UNITED STATES

BUSINESS VISA – INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE (L-1A) TO THE UNITED STATES

Managers and Executive employees of an international company who are being transferred to a parent branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the same company in the United States may apply for the Business Visa. The Business Visa is also an appropriate visa classification for a qualified employee of an international company coming to the United States to establish a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary in the United States. The international company may be either a U.S. or foreign organization. L-1A status is initially granted for a maximum of three (3) years (one year for a new company). This status can be extended in increments of a maximum of two (2) years. An employee can spend a total of seven (7) years in the United States in L-1A status.

VISA BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible, prospective employers of L-1A visa applicants must file a petition to bring the employee abroad to the United States. To qualify, the employee must be at the managerial or executive level, and be destined to an executive managerial position within the U.S. company, although not necessarily in the same position as held previously. In addition, the employee must have been employed outside the U.S. with the international company continuously for one year within the three years preceding the application for admission into the United States.

VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay may apply for derivative L-2 visas. The spouse and/or children of an L-2 visa holder may study on an L-2 visa. Spouses are also eligible to apply for work authorization after arriving in the United States. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, and only visit, may be eligible to apply for Visitor B-2 visas, or if eligible, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Business Visa provides you with the opportunity to work and live in the United States for a designated period at a specific job. As well, you are entitled to have dual intent, which means that you are able to maintain the L-1 status as a temporary worker while at the same time pursuing permanent residence, otherwise known as applying for a Green Card. As a Permanent Resident, you will have most of the rights of a United States Citizen, with few exceptions, including the right to live permanently in the United States, the right to be employed in the United States in any legal work, the right to study and the right to vote in some local elections. You will also be able to travel freely among the 50 states and travel to and from the United States. As well, once eligible, you can apply become to a U.S. citizen.