THE HOLT LAW GROUP

L-1: INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES

Employees transferring from foreign companies to related US companies qualify if the employee is an executive or manager, or a person with specialized knowledge, with a minimum of 1 year of work with the foreign company within 3 years prior to the application. Qualifying relations must exist between the U.S. Company and the foreign employer, either as parent, subsidiary, affiliate or branch.

Executive or Managerial Capacity (L-1A)

Executive capacity means assignments that employees primarily direct management of or direct functions within organizations. The individual is responsible for exercising discretionary decision-making, establishing company goals or policies, or receiving general supervision.

Managerial capacity means assignments in which employees primarily supervise over work of other professional employees. A manager may also manage essential functions of organizations.

Specialized Knowledge (L-1B)

Individuals with specialized knowledge have special knowledge or proprietary information concerning the company products or procedures of the company.

Documentation required:

Documentation establishing the relations between the companies & nature of the job in the U.S. and abroad. Documentation of a job offer from the U.S. Company and the purpose of work, the skills, qualifications, 4-year experience of the employee must be established.

The visa is issued for 1 year with a new enterprise or for 3 years with existing companies. The L-1 can be extended for up to 5 years for a person of specialized knowledge and up to 7 years for executives.