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*after appealWhat is an L1 Visa?
The L1 visa enables a US employer to transfer an executive, manager or specialized knowledge employee from a qualifying foreign entity to the US entity. You can transfer staff to either the existing US business or to a newly established business. So, if you do not yet have a business operating in the United States you are permitted to set one up and move staff under the “new-office L1 visa route”. The size and sector of your existing foreign business does not matter, provided we can establish a qualifying relationship with your new US business. There are two types of L1 visa: The L1-A visa is for executives and managers and the L-1B visa visa is for employees with specialized knowledge.
Benefits of L1 Visa
- No Quotas. Unlike some other visa categories there are no annual limits on the number of visas available to certain countries.
- Fast Processing Times for L1 Visa. Average processing time is between 3-6 months. Premium Processing is also available by paying an additional fee. With the premium processing, USCIS is required to respond with 15 business days.
- Family. L1 Visa holders are permitted to take their spouses and dependent children with them to the United States on the L-2 visa.
- Work Authorization. Spouses are granted work authorization permitting them to work for any US employer.
- Tax Advantages. The L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, which means you should not incur taxes on worldwide income.
- Transition to Green Card. It is possible to transition to a Green Card through the L-1A visas category. The criteria for L1-A is very similar with the criteria for EB1C visa category for Multinational Managers or Executives.
L-1 Visa Solutions by Country of Nationality or Residency
Select your country for more information
How To Open A Business In The USA
Opening a business in the US is very straight forward. Things you will ned to consider include:
- Forming a US Business
- Obtaining a US Federal Taxation Registration
- Obtaining a State Tax Registration
- Opening a Bank Account
- Obtaining Necessary Licenses and Permits
- Filing to Protect your Trademarks and Patents
- Having an Employment Agreement that Protects your Trade Secrets and Clients Lists
- I-9 and Other Compliance Issues
- Drafting or Reviewing a Franchise Agreement, If Applicable
Davies & Associates legal specialist corporate legal team can assist with all of these legal issues.
If you have any questions, please contact usUS Entrepreneur Visas
Entrepreneur Visas for the United States. The United States is very welcoming of business owners and entrepreneurs. In fact there are many different visa routes for entrepreneurs to live and work in the United States. Click here for more information about US Entrepreneur L1 Visa
What Is An L1B?
The L1B category of visas is for the transfer of employees with specialized knowledge from the overseas office to the US office of the same company. “Specialized knowledge” offers considerable scope for interpretation and it is important to work with a highly experienced immigration attorney who can help you understand whether you have grounds to claim a visa using L1B status. Here at Davies & Associates we offer free initial consultations with an experienced L1 visa attorney to establish whether you have a strong case for applying for the L1B Visa.
The L1B is initially valid for three years unless the US office has been in operation for less than one year, in which case the initial visa validity is one year. The L1B can be renewed in two-year increments up to a maximum of five years.
If you have any questions, please contact usWhat Is An L1-A?
The L1-A category of visas is for the transfer of manager and executive-level employees from the overseas office to the US office of the same company. It is important to be able to document clear managerial responsibilities with significant authority in the company. The L1A is initially valid for up to three years if the US firm has been in operation for at least one year. The L1A can then be renewed in two-year increments upto a maximum of seven years. If the US business has not been in operation for at least one year, this is considered a New Office L-1A application and the initial validity is just one year. After seven years, the l-1a visa holder must return home or transfer to another visa. The EB1C visa offers permanent residency to qualifying management and executive level employees.
If you have any questions, please contact usL1 Visa Validity
The initial validity of an L1 visa in USA is determined by something called the “Reciprocity Schedule”. Each country has its own reciprocity schedule for the L1 Visa. Some countries have longer than others, some examples are given below. You can find your country on the State Department’s website.
The reciprocity schedule determines the maximum length of validity for the initial visa. After this time period, an applicant can renew their L-1 visa in USA up to a maximum of seven (7) years for an L1A category and five (5) years for an L1B visa.
Applicants for “New Office” L-1 Visas are all granted a one-year visa initially. This allows the authorities to check the progress of the establishment of the new U.S. office. If sufficient progress has been granted, it is possible to renew in increments of two years upto the standard maximum of five or seven years for L1A and L1B respectively.
If you have any questions, please contact usForeign Company Documentation
The following is generally expected from the overseas business entity:
- Articles of incorporation
- Business license
- Income tax filings for the past three years
- Audited accounting reports (e.g., balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow reports, etc.)
- Organizational chart, which should include the total number of employees and indicate the position held by the transferee
- Company brochure or product introduction
- Documentation of business transactions (e.g., commercial contracts, invoices, bills of lading, letters of credit, etc.)
- Bank statements or transactional records
- Company letterhead with company logo, name, and address (several sheets)
- Pictures of company's main office, factories, or buildings (disregard if already included in company brochure or product introduction)
L1 Beneficiary Documentation
The following is generally expected from the alien beneficiary:
- Resume
- Diploma
- Employment verification letter from the foreign company
- Board resolution or appointment documents verifying the transfer of the alien to the U.S.
- Any other documents showing transferee's ability to conduct business in the executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity
Types of us visas for businesses
Obtaining permission to work in the United States can be a complicated process and requires a working knowledge of the different visa options that are available. Our immigration lawyers advise businesses and individuals so they can navigate this process with optimal efficiency and minimal expense.
Click here for more information about
Types of us visas for businesses
US Immigration Options for Italian Nationals: L1 Visas for Italian Business Owners & Transferees
Italy is a nation of entrepreneurs and business owners, many of whom seek their fortunes overseas. Click here for more information about L1 Visas for Italian Business Owners & Transferees
L1 Visas For Small Business
Watch our video to learn more about L1 Visas for small and medium sized enterprises
If you have any questions, please contact us
L1 Visas For USA
If you have any questions, please contact us
L1 Blog
Check our blog post about L1 visa.L1 Visa FAQs
Check out our most frequently asked questions about L-1 Visa L1 Visa FAQs
Latest news & Reference links
Why make Davies & Associates Your L1 Visa Lawyers
- We have helped hundreds of clients obtain an L1 Visa with a 100% success rate
- We assist with both existing-office and new-office L1 Visa applications
- We assist all sizes of companies from large multinational companies to small businesses and sole proprietorships
- Our corporate lawyers work closely with our immigration lawyers to ensure that the business has a qualifying relationship
- Our team can assist with L1 visa renewals and also with switching to a Green Card
5 stars and a high five! Thank you Verdie and Etta for assisting us with our change of status application. They were very professional and accommodating with all our questions and concerns throughout the process. Despite the time constraint, we pulled it off and we could not have done this without you guys! Keep up the good work!
Getting my E2 Visa was a very in-depth process that took just over a year from when I committed to it, but 8 months from when I found a business I wanted to purchase. The only reason I'm giving 4 and not 5 stars is because the timeframe was a lot longer than expected from the initial information. Aside from the timing, Verdie and his team led me through the Visa process, providing all the guidance I needed to be successful, including advising me on the RIGHT type of Visa to suit my goals. Within the process I purchased a business and the greater Davies team included lawyer Rinat who helped me put the deal together. One of the biggest parts was my Business Plan which created from my info by Ana Ortiz, who did an incredible job. The process is certainly tedious and Verdie & Christina were always there to answer my questions, provide suggestions and advice and ensure I had all the documents I needed to support my application. I appreciated their patience with my questions and their advice and in the end, the application was so thorough the interview process was quick and easy. I highly recommend Davies & Associates and look forward to working with them again when it's time to renew my Visa.
I had talked with Alex Jovy, he was very quick to respond, had a lot of useful information which I was not aware of. Took time out of his day to discuss my situation and was very helpful. They go into a lot of detail which other companies do not. Overall a great service!
I received an world-class help in how to immigrate to the USA succesfully! Alex was very open to answer my questions and is definitely a professional in what he does! Strongly recommend this firm.
We were in a hurry and Verdie and the team were highly responsive and supportive, even when we threw in some curve balls along the way. We had our visas approved without any issues and felt confident and well prepared for document submissions and the interview. I'd certainly recommend this team for an E2 visa process.
Contact Davies & Associates Offices in United States
Check all of our locations around the world, here
Company location
New York Office
1 World Trade Center,Suite 8500 New York, NY 10007
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Los Angeles Office
601 South Figueroa Street Suite 4050 Los Angeles, CA 90017
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Chicago Office
155 N. Upper Wacker Dr. Suite 4250 Chicago, IL 60606
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Miami Office
80 S.W. 8th St Suite 2000 Miami, FL 33130
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Atlanta Office
1075 Peachtree Street NE Suite 3650 Atlanta, GA 30309
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Looking to acquire an L1 Visa?
We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas, we solve the most complex immigration problems for businesses, investors, individuals, and families.
L1 Visa Immigration lawyer near meSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand.
Individual seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaD&A was very detail-oriented and was very thorough in what they did” L1 Visa Client. There was a lot of work on my case and worked on it 24/7 and was very patient answering all my questions.
E2 Visa ClientMy case felt complex but D&A managed the whole process carefully and helped me move seamlessly from one stage to the next.
E2 + CBI ClientD&A was my guiding light through the entire EB5 Process.
EB5 Visa ClientI would definitely be a big advocate for the rest of my life for anyone wanting to explore the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme leading to the E2 Visa. The most important thing is a good team behind you.. with Davies & Associates you’re in safe hands… you need someone who can give you all the support at the ground level and, again, you are well take care of by D&A. The people are really warm, very helpful and quite openminded when it comes to business… Not to mention as a passport it’s great from a travel perspective…It’s just 4/5 hours from New York.
Grenada CBI + E2 Visa ClientThe entire process of getting an EB5 visa is handled in a professional way by Mark Davies and his team. EB5 is a wonderful option for anyone considering moving to the United States if you have the means. I was hoping to use the H1B route for my children, but it became unreliable and so I looked to the EB5 Visa instead. It is great for anyone who has the resources. Mark gives you the first meetings himself which gives you great comfort. Both Mark and Sanjay are abundantly available and I even had the pleasure of hosting them at my house.
Parent of 2 EB5 Visa HoldersI'm in a process of extending my L1 visa. I submitted a few questions regarding my case and he contacted me back almost immediately both by e-mail and telephone. Unlike other attorneys I met before, he gave me the impression of knowing from the top of his head what kind of visa I have, and what actions had to be taken to extend it. He is very thorough and clear regarding the process and what to expect in terms of timelines and issues that may arise. He is constantly in contact, so you definitely know he's working on your case.
L1B Visa HolderMark Davies is a joy to work with. His extensive knowledge, speedy response and attentive service took away all my fears of dealing with immigration and visa applications. He is very generous with his time in explaining every step along the way and I have already and will in the future recommend him to anybody who is looking for an immigration lawyer.
E2 Visa for Small Professional Business With International OfficesDavies & Associates assisted us with an immigration emergency involving my brother's fiancée who was outside the United States. They assisted us in an highly professional manner, working with the relevant US embassy, US immigration and the governments of two other countries. As a result of their efforts the individual involved is now working in the United States. While their knowledge of the law is exemplary what really distinguishes this firm and attorney Davies from any other firm we have worked with is their dedication to customer service and their unrivaled level of professionalism.
Complex Fiancée Visa Need Involving Multiple International JurisdictionsSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand. I have recommended this firm to several friends and colleagues, they do an excellent job every time.
Individual Seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaI was qualified as a physician in a foreign country. Being on a J1 visa I was facing having to leave the United States and return to my home country. Davies & Associates secured one of only 30 J1 visa waivers available in my State, allowing me to work for a US hospital and remain in the United States.
Doctor Seeking J1 Visa WaiverI am very satisfied with the services Mark Davies has provided me. He has a very extensive knowledge in immigration laws and has a thorough approach to any case.
U Visa Applicant, A Victim of CrimeLooking to relocate or having trouble with a visa applicaton?
We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas, we solve the most complex immigration problems for business, investors, individuals and families.
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