Expanding a business into the United States offers significant opportunities for growth and international integration. For companies transferring executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, the L-1 visa provides a structured mechanism.
At Dominguez Law Firm, we assist businesses and professionals in managing every stage of the L-1 visa process.
The L-1 visa allows foreign companies to send qualified employees to related U.S. entities. It includes two classifications: L-1A for executives and managers, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge. This visa helps multinational organizations expand their presence and maintain business continuity.
To qualify, the transferee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years in a qualifying role. The U.S. and foreign entities must be connected through ownership or control. An immigration attorney ensures these relationships meet the legal standards required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The L-1 visa offers practical benefits for both employers and employees. Businesses can quickly move leadership without labor certification, while employees obtain lawful work authorization in the United States. The L-1A category also offers a path to permanent residency through the EB-1C green card classification.
For many organizations, this visa simplifies long-term planning by allowing key personnel to establish or manage U.S. operations. Working with our immigration lawyer ensures the petition meets USCIS documentation requirements and supports future residency applications.
Foreign companies without a current presence in the United States can use the L-1 visa to launch a new branch or subsidiary. To qualify, they must show that the new office will support business operations and have suitable premises. The initial visa term is typically one year and can be renewed if the company proves active operations and financial stability.
Our investor visas page explains how companies can prepare their structures before transferring employees. Business plans, lease agreements, and financial documentation are often required. A skilled immigration attorney in Florida can organize these materials and help ensure full compliance with visa requirements.
The L-1A category is designed for high-level personnel who manage departments or make significant business decisions. To qualify, the role must involve directing other professionals or overseeing key company functions.
Executives are usually granted three years initially, with the possibility of extensions up to seven years. This category also provides one of the most direct routes to permanent residency through the EB-1C green card. Our immigration lawyer in Florida can confirm eligibility and prepare detailed documentation that meets USCIS definitions of executive or managerial capacity.
The L-1B visa applies to workers who possess advanced or proprietary knowledge essential to a company’s products, processes, or systems. These employees help preserve consistency between the company’s foreign and U.S. operations.
To qualify, the applicant’s expertise must be uncommon and vital to the organization’s operations. Employers should provide documentation that explains how the employee’s knowledge benefits the company and cannot easily be replicated. The initial stay is up to three years, with possible extensions for two additional years.
The services page outlines how our firm supports businesses preparing L-1B petitions and other immigration filings. Properly prepared evidence significantly strengthens an application and minimizes processing delays.
An L-1A visa holder may apply for permanent residency through the EB-1C immigrant category without labor certification. This makes the transition from temporary to permanent status faster than most employment-based visas. The process requires demonstrating ongoing executive or managerial duties and showing that both entities continue legitimate business operations.
Early planning during the L-1 stage can simplify this transition. Our firm assists with coordinating renewals, monitoring deadlines, and preparing for the permanent residency stage, ensuring that both the company and employee remain in good standing with immigration authorities.
Expanding into the U.S. requires more than strategic planning; it must comply with specific immigration laws. At Dominguez Law Firm, we guide foreign businesses through every stage of the L-1 process, from preparing petitions to communicating with USCIS. Our firm focuses on helping companies establish and maintain a strong legal foundation for their U.S. operations.
If your organization is ready to expand or transfer employees to the United States, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how our firm can support your business immigration needs.