If you personally (or the company you work for) start a new business or buy an existing business in the United States, then you are eligible for L-1 status. This is the best way for foreign companies to enter the American market, open an office for trading and other operations, and expand their activities in the United States.
US Work Visa L-1. Purpose:
For those who have worked outside the United States as a manager or professional for at least one of the last three years and who intend to work in a similar position, having been transferred to a company operating inside the United States.
The American company to which you are transferred must be in relation to the foreign company where you previously worked:
parental;
subsidiary;
representation;
joint venture;
“Affiliate”, which means, under American law, this kind of relationship when both the American and the foreign company are owned by their majority (more than 50%) of any third company or the same person or group of persons.
US Work Visa L-1. Advantages:
It is easier for company executives to get a green card with an L-1 visa. When applying for a green card, you manage to avoid a rather laborious and, most importantly, time-consuming process of labor certification at the Ministry of Labor;
You are free to travel within and outside the United States as long as the L-1 visa is valid
Your family members can live with you in the United States.
US Work Visa L-1. Requirements and documents
Requirements.
You cannot apply for an L-1 visa on your own behalf. Your employer must file a USCIS petition for you.
Almost any company in the United States (including those owned by foreign firms or individuals) can sponsor foreign partners to obtain an L-1 work visa or Green Card. Sponsors can be companies of any type and size, from small firms to large corporations. The L-1 visa application is on USCIS Form I-129 and Attachment I-129L. Also attached to it:
documentation confirming corporate relations between an American and a foreign company;
documentation confirming the capitalized structure of the company;
detailed job description and requirements for the candidate and a detailed description of your unique knowledge that is used by an American company;
documentation proving that you have worked for a foreign company for an uninterrupted period of more than one year in the last three years in an executive or managerial position, or have been hired in a job requiring your specialized knowledge and that you are coming to the United States to work for that same positions;
if you come to the United States to open a new office, you must submit a certificate of establishment of the new office (for example, a lease for the office space, commercial contracts, etc.);
annual report of foreign and American companies, and / or other messages showing business and financial stability;
organizational structure indicating your place in a US company (the same as in a foreign company);
copies of licenses and permits.
Documents for registration.
After the Petition for you is approved by the Immigration Center, you can apply for an L-1 visa, and for this you must provide an original or a copy of the Work Permit, completed Form I-797A or B, and also:
Document Form DS-160 – Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa;
a copy of a passport that is valid for at least six months outside the period of stay in the United States and with at least one blank E page;
two identical color photographs on a light background showing the entire face without head covering. You can wear a headdress if required by the religious community of which you are a member;
Your CV
copy of the petition filed with USCIS
US Work Visa L-1. Duration of stay
US Work Visa L-1A
Employees in managerial and executive positions (L-1A visa) are initially admitted to the United States for a period of three years if they intend to join an existing company, or for one year if they intend to join a newly formed company. L-1 visa extensions are allowed for up to two years for a maximum period of seven years.
US Work Visa L-1B
Professionals (L-1B visa) are initially admitted to the United States for a period of three years if they intend to join an existing company, or for one year if they intend to join a newly formed company. L-1 visa extensions are allowed for up to two years for a maximum period of five years. Visa for family members of an L-1 visa holder.
A spouse and / or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany you to the United States during your stay can apply for an L-2 visa.