(L-1 Visas) INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER VISAS

Managers, executives or individuals with "highly-specialized knowledge" who have worked for a company outside of the U.S. for at least one year in the preceding 3 years may be transferred to that company's U.S. branch or affiliate. The maximum period for those with "specialized knowledge" is 5 years and for executives and managers is 7 years.

To qualify for L-1 status, the Overseas company for which the L-1 employee works must have a specific relationship to the prospective employer in the United States. The two companies must have common control. i.e.:

     - Parent or subsidiary:    Affiliate
     - 50-50 joint venture:    Branch

REQUIREMENTS - Visa Applicants must:

a) Have been employed by the overseas company for any one of the past three years as executive or manager
b) Assume duties of executive or manager in the U.S. business
c) Make an investment in the U.S. business; no specific amount of money required

BENEFITS

The Visa Applicant may work and collect a salary from U.S. business May travel between U.S. & home country May bring spouse and minor children to live in the U. S Children may attend school May apply for Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card) when U.S. business has been in existence for more than one year, shows a profit, and has employees, providing the same conditions exist in overseas business If the business purchased in the U. S. has been in existence for more than one year, the applicant and family members may apply directly for Permanent Status L- I Visa is issued in 8-10 weeks