Navigating the Complex World of L1A Visa Requirements

The process of traveling to the US can be difficult and perplexing. You must comprehend certain crucial documents. The L1A Visa is one of these, particularly if you travel for work. To learn more about the L1A Visa requirements, continue reading as the name does not provide much information.

An L1A Visa: What Is It?

One type of L Visa, or temporary residence permit, is the L1A Visa. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for issuing L visas.

There are two types of visas including L-1A and L-1B visas. Both types of visas allow foreign workers to get employment with the same organization in the United States. 

The goals of each type of L visa are listed below:

• Workers who are in executive or managerial roles are eligible to get the L-1A visa. 
• For workers in occupations requiring specialized knowledge, there is the L1B visa.

For whom is an L1A visa valid?

Executives and managers of the company are eligible for the L1A visa . To be eligible for an L1A visa, you have to be in a leadership position within the organization. More information about working in an executive or managerial capacity about your L1A Visa application can be found in the sections below.

Executive Ability

In an executive capacity, you have broad authority to make decisions on behalf of the organization with little supervision as an employee.

Often, the executives directly report to the chairperson of the board, CEO, or comparable officer in many organizations. 

Managerial Ability

Being an employee in a managerial position means that you are responsible for supervising a process, a sub-function, or some other important aspect of the business’s operations.

Due to the nature of this oversight, you are usually responsible for a group of other staff members who carry out daily duties.

Even if you do not manage a team, having managerial capacity in the context of L1A Visa requirements may also mean being able to supervise or manage an important business function without direct supervision or oversight from another person. 

L1A Eligibility requirements

L visas can only be used for transfers to work in the United States within the same company. This implies that you must be employed by a company that either sends you to establish its first office in the United States or that already has an office there.

Both you, the applicant, and the organization that is sending you to the United States must meet the eligibility requirements for the L1A Visa. The list below contains the prerequisites for each.

L1A Business Eligibility

For an employer to be eligible for an L1A visa, they must:

Own a subsidiary, office, or affiliate in the United States. For the application, this is known as a qualifying organization.

Be doing business, or soon intend to do so, in the United States and at least one other country. Following that, the company must continue for the duration that you are in the nation on an L1A visa. You have the option of conducting this business directly or via an approved organization.

“Doing business” for the L1A Visa refers to routinely offering products and/or services to clients. If trading is not occurring constantly, simply having an office with a person present is insufficient.

It should be noted, though, that international trade is not necessary. Trading must simply be taking place.

The eligibility requirements differ if the company wishes to send you to establish a qualifying organization or office in the United States but does not currently have one.

The company needs to:

• Demonstrate that it has found a suitable location for the new American office.
• Demonstrate that during the three years before applying, you worked as an executive or manager for at least one complete year.
• Prove that, within a year of the visa’s issuance date, the new office will require an executive or manager.

Since the objective in this instance is to open an office, the company is not required to be conducting business within the United States.

Employee Eligibility for L1A

To qualify as an employee, you must: 

• Have spent at least a year working nonstop for the company (or a qualifying organization) outside of the United States in the three years before applying.
• be requested to enter the country to work in a managerial or executive position for the same company (or a qualifying organization).

How to File an L1A Visa Application

Both you and your employer are parties to the L1A visa.

With the help of the following guidelines you can apply for an L-1A visa: 

• To complete the Form I- 129 petition it is required to provide your employer the specific details. 
• Along with the required fees and the summary of the work, your employer will send the application. 
• Your employer will give you the Form I-129 receipt. 
• Enter this receipt number to complete a Form DS- 160
• For your L1A visa decide on an interview date
• When you go to the interview, remember to bring and turn in your passport along with all the necessary supporting documentation for your L1A visa.

How long is the validity of an L1A visa?

The L1A visa has a limited validity period unless you convert it to a green card. This suggests that you will have temporary permission to live and work in the United States for your employer. 

Your L1A visa’s exact validity period primarily depends on whether you are setting up a new office or engaged in other employment.

If you are being sent to open a new office in the United States, your initial L1A Visa will be issued for a full year. You may only remain initially for a maximum of three years for all other purposes.

You may request extensions for either type of application for a maximum of two years at a time. Your visa can be used for up to seven years total, covering both the original stay and any additional extensions.

Cost of an L1A Visa

An L1A visa is not that expensive compared to many other non-immigrant visas. The required I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker must be filed, and it costs $460.

Your employer applied on your behalf, so the business will likely cover all related costs.

Last Words

Executives and managers can temporarily relocate to the United States on an L1A visa to support their employer’s operations. Mortgages for L1A visa holders are something to think about if you’re relocating to the US. The L1A visa needs to be renewed every two years after the initial period, with a maximum validity of seven years.

To know more about the L1A Visa requirements, reach out to US Area Immigration Services right away!