Intra-company Transferees (L-1)
Employees of an international company who are being temporarily transferred to a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the same company in the United States require Intra Company transfer (L-1) visas. The international company may be either a U.S. or foreign organization. To qualify, the employee must be at the managerial or executive level, or have specialized knowledge and be destined to a position within the U.S. company of these levels, 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.
Opening an office
An L-1 visa is also the appropriate visa classification for a qualified employee of an international company who is coming to the United States to establish a parent, branch, affiliate or subsidiary in the United States, i.e. commence business. When filing the petition, the international company will be required to show that sufficient physical premises to house the new office have been secured and that within one year of the approval of the petition, the intended U.S. operation will support an executive or managerial position. In the case of a person with specialized knowledge, the petitioner will be required to show that it has the financial ability to remunerate the beneficiary and to commence doing business in the United States. A petition for a qualified employee of a new office will be approved for a period not to exceed one year, after which the petitioner must demonstrate that it is doing business as described above in order for the petition and alien’s stay to be extended beyond one year.
Filing a petition with USCIS
The employment must be approved in advance by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on the basis of a petition, form I-129, filed by the employer with the USCIS Service Center. Companies seeking the classification of multiple aliens as intra company transferees may file a blanket petition with USCIS. The blanket petition provision is meant to serve only relatively large, established companies having multi-layered structures and numerous related business entities. The blanket petition provision is available only to managers, executives and specialized knowledge professional that are destined to work in an established office. Any questions which you may have concerning this process should be addressed to the appropriate USCIS office in the United States.
If you do not possess your I-797 Notice of Action, it is your responsibility to contact the appropriate USCIS office in the United States. Please note that the approval of a petition does not, in itself, establish that you are entitled to receive a visa.
Applicants who wish to apply for intra-company transferee’s visa must come in person to the U.S. Embassy. To schedule an appointment, please click here
Documents required for L visa are:
- A valid passport that has been signed by the applicant and, where applicable,
- Previous passport with previously issued visa or
- Police report in case of theft or loss of a previous passport with valid visa. The report may be issued by a local police station or consular office or other foreign authority.
- If you have ever been arrested and /or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have been denied entry into or deported from the United States, you will be required to furnish documents relating to your situation in support of your application.
- The paid duplicate receipt from Piraeus Bank (see step 3).
- Only for Blanket petition beneficiaries, there is an extra fee of $500 payable at the consulate on the day of the appointment. The fee will be imposed only on principal aliens, not their dependents.
- The printed confirmation page containing the barcode generated by the DS-160 online application form (see step 4).
- One photograph that meets the required specifications (see step 5). Even if you have successfully uploaded the photo to the DS-160 please bring one with you on the day of your appointment.
- The original, photocopy or facsimile copy of the Notice of Action, Form I-797A, B or C. The application cannot be processed without this form.
Spouses & Children
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 require derivative L-2 visas. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for TOURIST/BUSINESS VISA B1/B2, or if qualified, travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
More information for spouses & children.
L-2 versus F-1
There is no requirement that the spouse and/or children of an L-2 visa holder apply for a student (F-1) visa if they wish to study in the U.S.; they may study on an L-2 visa. However, if they are qualified, they may apply for the F-1 visa. If you have school age children, you should refer to the regulations governing the issuance of F-1 visas.
Working on an L-2 visa
Spouses may seek employment authorization on derivative L-2 visas. For further information, please contact the USCIS on your arrival in the United States.
Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.