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Working for a company based in the US is one of the most popular pursuits of immigrants to the US. That is why there is a specific US Work Visa for foreigners that want to expand their business to the US or are being transferred to an existing American business.
Often, there are so many internal issues involved in business transfers that the host of complicated immigration challenges are left to an experienced immigration law firm.
Niren & Associates know that handling your L1 Visa case on your own can be a lot on your plate, and we have assisted thousands of businesses in the smooth migration of their employees to the States.
Leave the immigration matters to us since it is our job to prepare your paperwork and get your US business needs on track.
Contact our Montreal immigration attorneys for L1 Visa information and help
Our attorneys constantly kept us in the loop with the status of our L Visa applications, and successfully navigated us through very convoluted and sometimes confusing USCIS processes. I have already recommended several people to Niren & Associates – Laura V.
L-1 Visa Qualifications for Employees
If you have or are working for an existing business in Canada or another country, you may qualify for an L1 Visa to the US.
The following requirements would need to apply for you to be eligible for the L-1 Visa:
• You must have worked outside the United States such as in Canada for one full year within the preceding three years on a full time basis; and
• You must have worked for a “qualifying organization” outside the United States as an executive, manager or in a “specialized knowledge”; and
• You are being transferred to the United States to work for a new or existing U.S. Business that is either subsidiary, branch or affiliate of the Canadian company.
There are two types of L-1 Visas:
- L-1A Visas are issued for employees working as an executive or manager for their company.
- L-1B Visas are those persons with specialized knowledge.
Before applying for the L-1 visa, it is essential to be aware of the specific legal definition of these terms(manager, executive and specialized knowledge worker). Without the advice of a knowledgable immigration attorney, it would be difficult to know if you are eligible to apply.
Contact our Montreal immigration law office today for a consultation
For How Long are L-1 Visas Valid?
• L1A visas (managers or executives) are valid for a total period of seven years from the date of issuance. This visa may be extended if one resides in and commutes from Canada or Mexico to the United States for employment.
• L1B visas (specialized knowledge workers) are valid for a total period of five years. Again, if one is a commuter, this period may be extended.
L-1 Visa Qualifications for Businesses
L1 visas are available to employees working for companies outside the United States that have branches, subsidiaries, affiliates or joint venture partners in the United States.
Each type of business relationship is precisely defined by U.S. Immigration Regulations and legal advice is required to determine whether the business relationship complies with the INS definition.
It is also important to note that the foreign business outside the U.S. must continue to operate during the L-1 transfer to the United States.
This means that while the foreign worker is in the United States pursuant to the L-1 visa, the business outside the United States must be ongoing.
The foreign business outside the United States should therefore retain at least one employee abroad during the duration of the L-1 visa status.
L-1 Visa Opportunties for Canadians
Canadians can apply for L1 Work Visas and can take advantage of NAFTA by of applying for L1 visas at a U.S/Canadian port of entry rather than having to apply at a U.S. immigration office called a Service Center in the U.S. This means that the Canadian can take all his or her documentation to a U.S. border and receive an L1 Visa on the spot!
Documents Needed When Applying for L1 Visa
There are various important documents that are necessary to present when applying for the L-1 Visa.
Some of these documents include:
• Information about the existing Canadian company you currently work for
• Your recent employment in Canada and business plans for the US.
• US company documents etc.
• U.S. Immigration forms to complete such as the I-129.
Our Licensed US Immigration Attorneys Can Oversee Your Case
In order to avoid having a delayed or denied application, providing the proper documents is crucial. Especially if you are a Canadian applying at the border, since you could be denied while in transit.
Don’t rely on your own organization of the necessary materials. We are experts in immigration law, and our job is to look out for you, so you can concentrate on doing business in the US.
Contact our Montreal, QC immigration office to assist in your L-1 visa needs
