L-1 Visa Assistance in Orange County
Nonimmigrant Visa for Executive Employees
The L-1 visa is for individuals who wish to temporarily move to the United
States for business purposes. These are nonimmigrant
visas for the transfer of executives or managers, unlike a general employment visa.
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
The L-1A nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer
an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to
one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables
a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to
send an executive or manager to the United States with the purpose of
establishing one. The employer must file a Form I-129, Petition for a
Nonimmigrant Worker [https://www.uscis.gov/i-129], with fee, on behalf of the employee.
If you are interested in applying for this type of nonimmigrant visa with
legal assistance, call an Orange County L-1 visa lawyer at the firm.
Qualifications for an L-1 Visa
Not everyone can qualify for this type of visa. If you are interested,
the best way to find out if you qualify is by consulting with an
immigration lawyer. Our firm is familiar with the process and can assist you with
the necessary paperwork. The USCIS gives some general guidelines for who
does and does not qualify.
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Employer Qualification – For an employer to qualify, they must have a relationship with a foreign
company (that meets the standards for international relations) and they
must also currently be doing business with, or poised to do business with,
one other country while the petitioner would be living in the U.S.
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Employee Qualification – The qualifying employee must have been working for the named organization
(in another country) for at least one year consecutively not more than
three years before they enter the U.S. to live. The employee must also
be petitioning for the L-1 visa for the purpose of providing executive
or managerial services for a U.S. branch of their company or another qualifying
organization.
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Family Members – For family members of those granted L-1 visas, they may also qualify for
temporary U.S. residency. The spouse will qualify as well as any children
under the age of 21. Qualification is not automatic though, and family
members will have to apply by way of an L-2 visa.
Qualifying individuals will be able to stay in the United States for one
year on an L-1 visa if they are coming to establish a U.S. office. For
all other qualifying employees, they will be able to stay in the U.S.
for three years. All those granted L-1 visas may also petition for an
extension of their stay which may or may not be granted.
L-1 Visa Lawyer in Orange County, CA
The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman can assist you in filing a petition
for an L-1 visa. If you are unsure of whether or not you qualify, please
speak with the firm for legal guidance through the immigration and temporary
residency application process. Filling out the paperwork incorrectly may
result in a denial of your application, even if you rightfully deserve
the L-1 visa.
To learn more, please contact an Orange County L-1 visa lawyer with the
firm today and receive a free consultation.