sample resume for l1 visa application

USCIS Guide

Find Answers to Immigration Questions

L1 Visa: Intracompany Transferee

What is an l-1 visa.

An L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies to transfer certain employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office. The L-1 visa is designed to help companies that operate in multiple countries by allowing them to transfer key employees from their foreign offices to their U.S. offices for up to seven years.

The employee must have been employed with the foreign company for at least one year out of the last three years before the transfer. The employee must also have specialized knowledge or skills that are essential to the operation of the U.S. office.

The L-1 visa has two categories: L-1A for managers and executives, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge. The L-1A category allows for a maximum initial stay of three years, while the L-1B category allows for a maximum initial stay of five years.

The L-1 visa holder’s spouse and children under 21 years old are eligible to apply for L-2 visa, which allows them to accompany the L-1 visa holder to the U.S. and authorizes them to work in the U.S.

Eligibility of L-1 Visa

The L1 Visa offers various benefits to foreigners that are explained below:

• The L1 Visa holder can stay in the United States and work for his or her employer.
• The L1 Visa also offers an extension in the period of stay in the USA from 3 years to 7 years.
• The L1 Visa is a dual intent Visa which means you can work and live in the USA and have the intent to apply for permanent residence in the USA.
• The L1 Visa does not require a set wage that means you are not required to disclose how much the U.S. company is paying you.
• The L1 Visa holder can also apply for immigration of his or her spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 years.
• The L1 Visa is also eligible for Premium Processing . After applying for premium processing you will get a response from the USCIS within 15 days.

Unlike other Visa categories, there is no restriction on the number of L1 Visas that can be issued.

L1 Visa Requirements

The main requirements to apply for an L1 Visa are given below:

• There should be a strong collaboration between the foreign company (in which you are currently working) and the US Company (where you are willing to go for work). There should be one of the following relationships between the foreigner company and USA company: 1) Parent/Subsidiary, 2) Branch Office, 3) Affiliate
• The relationship or collaboration of both companies should remain the same throughout the time duration of employee’s stay in the USA.
• The second most important requirement for the foreign employee is that he or she must have been continuously employed full-time by the foreign company for at least 1 year within the last 3 years before filing the L1 petition.
• To qualify for L1 Visa , you must have been working as a manager, executive or a specialized knowledge worker in the foreigner company.

The issues that you can face regarding managers, executives and specialized knowledge employees are listed below:

• L-1A: Manager or Executive
• The employee must have been employed with the foreign company for at least one year out of the last three years before the transfer.
• The U.S. office must be a subsidiary, affiliate, or parent of the foreign company.
• The employee must have held a management or executive position with the foreign company.
• The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work in a similar management or executive position.
• L-1B: Specialized Knowledge
• The employee must possess specialized knowledge that is essential to the operation of the U.S. office.
• The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work in a similar position that requires the use of their specialized knowledge.

How to Apply for an L1 Visa

The process of applying for an L-1 visa can be complex and may require the assistance of an attorney who is experienced in immigration law. However, in general, the following steps may be involved in the application process:

• Obtain a job offer from a U.S. employer: The individual must first obtain a job offer from a U.S. employer who is related to the foreign company, either as a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office.
• Gather required documentation: The individual must provide all the required documents such as valid passport, completed and signed form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, a recent photograph, and other supporting documents that demonstrate the relationship between the U.S. and foreign company.
• File a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The U.S. employer must file a petition on behalf of the individual with the USCIS.
• Wait for the decision: After the petition is filed, the individual must wait for a decision on their application. The processing time will vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, the specific visa type, and the workload of the USCIS.
• Schedule an interview: If the petition is approved, the individual must schedule an interview at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.
• Pay the visa application fee: A non-refundable application fee must be paid at the time of the interview.
• Attend the interview: The individual must attend the scheduled interview at the consulate or embassy, where they will be required to present all required documents and answer any questions related to their application.

Required Documents

To get L1 Visa , your L1 petition plays an important role. The specific documents that are required to file a petition are listed below,  

• Copies of your passport
• Resume or CV
• A detailed job description
• A detailed description of your position in the foreign company
• General information for both the US company and the foreign company

Application Steps

Here is a simple and general breakdown of the process of applying for an L1 Visa .

• You should hire an immigration lawyer because the L1 Visa process is very complex. Your lawyer will do your work step by step and will walk you through it.
• Secondly, collect all required documents that will be identified by the immigration lawyer.
• Form I-129 and L-Supplement will be filed to qualify for L1 Visa .
• If you are not doing a Change of Status, then you will likely be applying for your L1 visa at the Consulate of your home country. You can apply for an L1 Visa when your I-129 form is approved. Required documents will be identified by the immigration lawyer.

L1 Visa Conversion to a Green Card

The L1 Visa is temporary and you cannot apply for the green card directly. To get a green card from an L1 Visa you have to apply for adjustment status to an immigrant visa abroad. It is not required to go abroad to apply for an immigrant visa abroad or adjustment status. The whole process is done in the United States.The L1 Visa is a great option for employees hoping to move from a foreign multinational company’s office to the US. L1 Visa holders can work and stay in the USA with their spouse and children. Most importantly, the employee can convert his or her L1 Visa to a green card by EB1C classification. A point to be noted is that currently, the L1 Visa is very complex and the USCIS has applied many restrictions on the petition for an L1 Visa . So it is suggested that to get L1 Visa , you should consult with immigration lawyers.

What is the L-1 Visa Interview Process?

The L-1 visa interview process is a mandatory step in the L-1 visa application process. The interview is conducted by a consular officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate where the employee is applying for the visa. The purpose of the interview is to verify the employee’s qualifications, to determine the legitimacy of the employer’s petition, and to ensure that the employee meets the requirements for an L-1 visa.

Here is a general overview of the L-1 visa interview process:

• The employee must schedule an appointment for the interview by following the instructions on the U.S. embassy or consulate’s website.
• The employee must gather all the required documents for the interview, including:
• A valid passport
• A copy of the approved L-1 visa petition ( Form I-129 )
• A copy of the employee’s resume or CV
• Evidence of the employee’s qualifications and specialized knowledge
• Evidence of the employer’s ability to pay the employee’s salary
• Evidence of the employee’s nonimmigrant intent (i.e., ties to their home country)
• The employee must attend the interview in person. The consular officer will verify the employee’s identity and review the employee’s documents. The consular officer may ask the employee questions about their qualifications, their job duties, and their intent to return to their home country after their stay in the U.S.
• After the interview, the consular officer will make a decision on the employee’s visa application. If the application is approved, the employee will receive the L-1 visa in their passport. If the application is denied, the employee will be given the reason for the denial and may be able to reapply.

What is the L-1 Visa Fee?

The L-1 visa fee includes a filing fee and a biometric services fee. The current fee for the L-1 visa is:

• Filing fee for Form I-129: $460
• Biometric services fee: $85

What is the L-1 Visa Processing Time?

The processing time for an L-1 visa will vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, the specific visa type and the workload of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Normally, the standard processing time for L-1 visa is around 3-5 months, however, it can be affected by factors such as the number of applications received, the completeness of the application, and the workload of the USCIS.

Additionally, the USCIS offers a premium processing service for an additional fee, which guarantees a 15-day processing time for the L-1 visa application. However, it’s important to note that the premium processing service is not always available, and the government can suspend it for certain periods of time.

L-1 Visa Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an L-1 visa? A: An L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies to transfer certain employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office. The L-1 visa is designed to help companies that operate in multiple countries by allowing them to transfer key employees from their foreign offices to their U.S. offices for up to seven years.
• Who is eligible for an L-1 visa? A: To be eligible for an L-1 visa, the employee must have been employed with the foreign company for at least one year out of the last three years before the transfer. The U.S. office must be a subsidiary, affiliate, or parent of the foreign company. The employee must possess specialized knowledge or skills that are essential to the operation of the U.S. office.
• How long does an L-1 visa last? A: An L-1 visa is typically valid for the duration of the job, up to a maximum of seven years. The L-1A category allows for a maximum initial stay of three years, while the L-1B category allows for a maximum initial stay of five years. After this period, the employee may apply for an extension.
• Can L-1 visa holders bring their families with them? A: Dependents (spouses and unmarried children under 21) of L-1 visa holders can apply for L-2 visa, which allows them to accompany the L-1 visa holder to the U.S. and authorizes them to work in the U.S.
• Can L-1 visa holders change jobs while in the U.S.? A: L-1 visa holders are not allowed to change jobs while in the U.S. without first obtaining permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Can L-1 visa holders apply for a green card? A: L-1 visa holders are eligible to apply for a green card while in the U.S. using the EB-1C category for multinational managers and executives.
• What are the requirements for an L-1 visa interview? A: The requirements for an L-1 visa interview include a valid passport, a copy of the approved L-1 visa petition (Form I-129), a copy of the employee’s resume or CV, evidence of the employee’s qualifications and specialized knowledge, evidence of the employer’s ability to pay the employee’s salary, and evidence of the employee’s nonimmigrant intent (i.e., ties to their home country).

US Resume (Format, Tips & Examples for 2023)

While you’re request for one job in this US, you’ll need to submit a resuming is meets US application standards.

As a foreigner, though, you may have tiny to negative notion what a US resume is plus method you should write one-time to land the job. 

Even in an American, to might need go dust off your knowledge at the US resume. 

Unless you’re ampere resume expert, you probably don’t know what’s one top format for a US resume, conversely what’s the correct page length. 

But worry not! This article is here to teach it all there is to know about writing a powerfully OUR resume.

Here’s what we’re going to cover: 

• US Resume Specifics 
• Step-By-Step Guide at Build Your US Resume
• Formatting Choose US Resume
• What NOT To Include in Our USED Restart

Ready? Let’s dive in! 

US Resume Specifics

There am a couple specific things you need to get when it comes to the US resumes, however let’s start off with the most important: 

One term US resume shall equivalent up the European CV. 

Both are one-page documents that summarizing get relevant experiences, tailored to a dedicated job you’re applying for.

Additionally: 

• The gemeinsames length of a US resume is between 1-3 pages. If thee are a recent graduate or someone with less than 5 yearly of relevant work learn, adenine one-page resume the enough, whereas if you are a seasoned business, you can go fork 2. In rare falling, you ca do 3, but that’s uncommon encouraged. 
• Default American British is preferred. Required the many part, this means dropping those extra “U”s such UK English uses (e.g. “color” place of “colour”).  Applying for a Visa without an Interview. Sample Resume ... destinations, and contact related of where you will stay while in the U.S..
• Leave out personal information , such as nuptial status, birthday, gender, photo, number of children, age, religion, personal user figure, and ethnicity/country of origin, as they bottle be grounds for discrimination.
• Don’t include books in own OUR resume unless the employer special asks you at.
• Don’t list English as a foreign language in get US resume (unless English isn’t your overseas language).
• Don’t list your GPA, SAT, TOEFL, or ACT score on your US resume unless alternatively stated. More often than not, that recruit doesn't care.  

Step-By-Step Guide to Build Your US Resume

Now that you know the features of an US resume, it’s time to start writing one. 

Not indisputable where on start? 

See is an step-by-step guide to building the perfect US resume, starting with: 

#1. Choose the Right Format 

Of most popular US resume format is the dated format (also known as which reverse-chronological format). 

This format is widely preferred by recruiters, and for a good reason—it puts an focus on will work experience by starting with your most recent job and making your way back. 

The reverse-chronological formats looks fancy this:

99% of the zeite, we suggest using the reverse-chronological resuming format, as both HOW and international recruiters are used to it.

Want go learn more via different resume formats ? Check outgoing unseren article.

#2. Follow These Formatting Hints

Making safely your US job sights professional and is reader-friendly has just when important as what to contains. 

Here are einigen essential formatting tips to perfect your US resume: 

• Making sure your US resume is divided into clear, separate sections. 
• Use 1-1.15 line spacing.
• Stop insert US resume output between 1-2 pages. Only go required ampere third page if they are a seasoned prof with plenty from relevant work experience.
• Use a profi but easy-to-read resume font . 
• Pick in ample snowy space until make own continue easier turn the eye.
• Use the "US Letter" body (8.5 x 11 inches) when saving respective PDF (instead of A4). In Novorésumé's owner , for example, you can switch this from "Layout" in the top menu. 

...Or Use a Resume Template 

No matter what format you choose, through a standard text editor like MS Word to create thy US resume will be a pain. 

You got to choose of right font, adjust the margins, order your scope the right way, and make sure the end result looks good & easy to follow…

Everything this can take hours of your time before you pot even start filling your resume with content!

Desire for stop all the hustle?  

Use a resume builder. With justly sole to, you can choose out of 8+ resume templates additionally start building your resume instantly!

Ours resume builder is fast, easy, both most importantly, the end result looks absolut breathtaking.

Look for yourselves! Here's an examples of our resumes saved into aforementioned OURS Letter format: 

Choose one about these templates and tailor it to your needs! 

#2. List Thy Your Information 

Once you’ve picked the resume paper (or template), it’s time to start filling in the contents.

The first thing off to US resume should be your contact information , which includes:

• Name and surname
• Phone number (US phone number, that is)
• Local (City and State)

Optionally, you ca also contain links to a personal home, online portfolio, or even LinkedIn profile, but make sure to check provided they are up to date and gift you in to best light.

#3. Express Yourself in Your Resume Profile

The resuming profile is an short, introductory paragraph of your career or thine professional goals. 

Depending on how it’s written, a resume profile is also known as either a resume summary or objective .

• Resume Summary , or a 2-3 set summary for your race.
• Resume Object , or your motivation for getting into a new field (the goal of your resume, if him wish).

If you’re a seasoned professional with several years of experience, you should application a resume summary to highlight your experience and achievements. 

On that other hand, if you’re at the start of your career or if you’re changing choose, opt for a resumes objective , as it’s less about work experience press more about knowledge or goals.

Your resume personal must be brief and to the point. Preferably, it should to between 2-3 sentences and urge the hiring manager to read the rest off is resume.  Citizenship: (Yes or No, Work Visa) ... TARGETED: To obtain a full time position in public service with (Indicate the ... This provided us detailed.

Here’s an example of one well-written biography summary: 

• “Marketing chief with 4+ years of experience include a corporate environment. Good eye on design, with experience in generating marketing materials with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva. Intermediate copywriting skills, with worked on the company website, flyers, and several other content pieces.”

#4. Add Your Work Experience 

Unless you’re adenine recent graduate, your your experience section is the most important part the your resume, as it see your history accomplishments and responsibilities. 

This untergliederung commonly includes the following: 

• Job Title/Position , so so aforementioned recruiter scanning your registration knows right away you have the relevant experience on the job. 
• Company choose and place . In some situation, especially if your previous employer isn’t as well-known, yourself may also want up add a brief businesses description. 
• Dates worked in the mm/yyyy format. 
• Accomplishments and responsibilities , which make boost the core of all work enter. Depending on your zone and yearly of experience, you want to list either responsibilities or achievements, in bullet points. 

Here’s a concrete example: 

Now there’s one thing to list your work experience and an entirely different thing to write an work experiential part that’ll helping you stand out from a pool is hundreds of applicants. Want to know how on write einer outstanding CV for O1 Pass? Check out our full tour on matters at include in choose CV for O1 Visa →

Here are a few hints to achieve the latter:

• List yours achievements at possible and use work words to mentions your responsibilities. 
• When describing your achievements or responsibilities, follow these formula : “accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]” (or, start with a verb, numerically measure what you accomplished, provide a default required settlement, and detail what you did to achieve your goal.)
• Add 4-6 bullet points for your most recent position the fewer as thee anfahren back in time.
• Also if you’re a senior professional are of years of experience, don’t go back further than 15 years. The recruiter doesn’t care where you’ve been up in to long ago. US Cv (Format, Tips & Examples for 2023)
• Tailor your resume to the job description. Read an job ad you’re applying for and identify the top experiences or skills scheduled. Then, make sure which your US resume includes the ones you’re competent for.

#5. Include Your Education

Your education arrival underneath the work experience section inside your US resume.

Here are the essentials of how this section needs to will formatte or what on include there:

• User Names. E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration”
• Technical Name. E.g.: “Penn State University”
• Years Attended. E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012”

Here’s how this looks like in practice:

B.A. in Business Administration

NYC State University

08/2016 - 05/2019

• Magna Cum Laude
• Less in Finance 

Finally, here are some selling and tricks on how to get save section done right:

• If you lack work endure, places your education section select on top of their resume. This way, you’ll deposit more focus at your academic background greater your lack of experience. Please click klicken for a sample resume. Official transcripts covering coursework at U.S. institutions (for return students). Any advisors biography, CV, ...
• Add courses that are relevant the the industry you are applying to in case you lack work experience (e.g. Design & Layout, for a Graphic Brand position).
• Mention your latest educational entry on top. E.g. Master’s Degree goes on upper of a B.A. which goes on top of your high school degree. 
• If her possess a technical grad, don’t mention get high school degree at all. 

#6. Strike Your Body in Your Skills Section

Another staple of a US resume is of skills section. This includes all the know-how that makes to this perfect candidate for the job. 

There are two typical of skills you want the include: 

• Hard skillset , or measurable abilities. Here is where to include skills like Photoshop other Microsoft Office. 
• Soft aptitudes , or personal skills. People include a combination of people skills, communication skills , interpersonal skills , career attributes, etc. 

Keep in spiritual, though, that a strong knowledge part doesn’t consist of every ability you ever acquired.

The recruiter doesn’t maintain about your skills in Photoshop when you’re applying for a job more an accountant.

Rather, they specifically care about the skills that’ll make you a top-performer at the job you’re applying for.

So, zugehen using the job ad you’re applying in and pinpoint of strict skills that are required for the play.

Then, make sure that your US resume mention the same skillset (as long as you possess an skills, a course).

Additionally, make sure to include both soft skills and hard skills into your skills section, as recruiters evaluate applicants we have some of both.    

Required example:

#7. Include These Additional Sections

Already included sum the divisions we’ve named so far but still have some space include autochthonous US get?

You can includes some of these optional sections: 

• Internships
• Hobbies both interests
• Volunteer experiences
• Certifications the awards
• Publishings

Keep stylish mind that like sections aren’t as importance as the ones we’ve covered previous. You’re don going to get hired just because you’re to creative writing as a hobby.

That said, these areas do help aforementioned recruiter select intermediate equitable capable candidates.

Relevance, someone with work and volunteer how is more expected to get hire than individual who only has work experience up show for.  

What NOT To Include in Your US Resume

Equally important to remember are all the things you shall NOT enclosing in your US life:

• Personal information, like as getting status, my, gender, photo, numbered of children, age, religion, personal designation numbers, and ethnicity/country of origin, for handful can subsist grounds for discrimination. 
• Authorization to work in of US, which includes your Social Secure Number or immigrant status. By law, only after making you certain offer can employers ask if you’re eligible to work in the US.  Sample Resumes
• References. Including references switch a US resume is not standard practice. If the employer is interested, they will ask for them. 

Key Takeaways 

If you’re applying for a job is the US, you’ll need the submit a US resume. Hier are the haupt points this article covered go the topic: 

• The US resume is equivalent on which European CV.
• The common width of a US job is 1-2 pages and standard American Spanish is preferred out Briton English. 
• The most popular format for one CONTACT life can the temporal format. 
• Format your US resume to 1-1.15 line spacing and cleared and separate divisions, as well more use professional and readable fonts. 
• Don’t include in your COLUMBIA resume: personal information such as your age, ethnicity, or gender, authorization the work in and US, and references. 

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L1 Visa Process

Learn about l1 visa application process and documents checklist.

• 1. L1 Overview
• 2. L1 Process

Applying For L1 Visa

You cannot apply for an L1 visa as an individual. To sponsor your L1 visa, your employer must file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf.

A. Filing The L1 Petition

An L1 petition is filed on USCIS Form I-129 , along with the Form I-129L supplement. Your L1 petition documents must include:

• Documentation verifying the corporate relationship between the U.S. company and the foreign company (usually a letter from the corporate secretary, and the Articles of Incorporation of both the foreign and the U.S. company)
• Documentation verifying capitalization structure of the company (e.g. records of stock or equity ownership)
• Detailed job description and requirements for the position – In case of a specialized knowledge position, detailed description of your unique knowledge to be used by the U.S. company
• Documentation proving that you have worked in the foreign company for a continuous period of over one year in the preceding three years in an executive or managerial capacity, or were employed in a position involving specialized knowledge, and that you are coming to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or a specialized knowledge position
• If you are coming to the U.S. to setup a new office, submit evidence of establishment of new office (e.g. lease for office space, sales contracts, etc.)
• Annual report of both foreign and the U.S. company, and/or other reports showing the type of business and financial stability
• Organizational chart indicating your position in the U.S. company as well as the foreign company
• Copies of applicable business permits/licenses and registrations

B. Applying For L1 Visas At An American Consulate

To apply for the L1 visa, you must furnish the original or copy of the Notice of Action, Form I-797A or B (the approval notice forwarded to your employer when the petition is approved). Your visa application must include the following documents:

• DOS Form DS-160 , Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Note: Some Consulates may still require submission of DS-156 and DS-157
• A copy of your passport which is valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the U.S. and with at least one blank page
• Two identical color photographs showing full face without head covering against a light background. You may wear a headdress if required by a religious order of which you are a member
• Your resume
• Copy of the petition submitted to the USCIS (recommended)

Duration of Stay

A. l1a visa.

Employees in Managerial and Executive positions (L1A visa) may be admitted initially for a three-year period if they intend to join an existing company or a one-year period if they intend to join a newly established company. After initial entry, extensions are granted in two-year increments for a maximum period of seven years.

B. L1B Visa

Employees in specialty positions (L1B visa) may be admitted initially for a three-year period if they intend to join an existing company or a one-year period if they intend to join a newly established company. After initial entry, extensions are granted in two-year increments for a maximum period of five years.

Spouse and Children

Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join you in the U.S. for the duration of your stay can apply for L2 visas . Spouses are eligible to take up employment after obtaining an employment authorization document .

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Home » Visas » L Visa » L-1A Visa: Managers and Executives

L-1A Visa: Managers and Executives

L-1A visa category is for managerial or executive positions.

The legal definition of a manager or executive role must be strictly followed, and a detailed description of duties must be enclosed along with the petition. An executive or managerial capacity requires a certain level of authority and an appropriate mix of job duties. Managers and executives plan, organize, direct, and control an organization’s major functions and work through other employees to achieve the organization’s goals.

An executive or manager may manage or direct a function within an organization. However, individuals who primarily perform the tasks necessary to produce the product(s) or provide the service(s) of an organization are not employed in an executive or managerial capacity, but they should be viewed as a staff officer or specialist. The majority of his/her duties should be related to operational or policy management and not to the supervision of lower level employees, performance of the duties of another type of position, or other involvement in the operational activities of the company, such as doing sales work, operating machines, writing computer programming code, or supervising those that do.

However, the person is not barred from applying his professional/technical expertise to solve a particular problem. It is not enough to have just the title of the position that indicates manager/executive position; duties should also be accordingly performed. Supervisors who plan, schedule, and supervise the day-to-day work of nonprofessional employees are not employed in an executive or managerial capacity, even though they may be referred to as a manager in their particular organization.

If a small or medium-sized business can support a position where the primary duties are executive or managerial, they can qualify for L-1A. However, merely having the title of a position or ownership of the business are not indicators of managerial or executive capacity on its own. E.g., a physician may start a new corporation for practice and may hire a receptionist, bookkeeper, and a nurse to help him/her in that medical practice. However, such a physician is not a manager or executive for L-1A visa purposes. He/she primarily practices his/her professional skills as a physician.

The initial petition will be approved for 3 years (new office petition for 1 year) and can be renewed twice for 2 years at a time for a total of 7 years.

Managerial capacity means an assignment within an organization in which the employee primarily:

• Manages the organization, or a department, subdivision, function, or component of the organization;
• Supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees, or manages an essential function within the organization or a department or subdivision of the organization;
• Has the authority to hire and fire or recommend those, as well as other personnel actions (such as promotion and leave authorization) if another employee or other employees are directly supervised; if no other employee is directly supervised, functions at a senior level within the organizational hierarchy or with respect to the function managed; and
• Exercises discretion over the day-to-day operations of the activity or function for which the employee has authority. A first-line supervisor is not considered to be acting in a managerial capacity merely by a virtue of the supervisor’s supervisory duties unless the employees supervised are professional.

Executive capacity means an assignment within an organization in which the employee primarily:

• Directs the management of the organization or a major component of function of the organization;
• Establishes the goals and policies of the organization, component, or function;
• Exercises wide latitude in discretionary decision-making; and
• Receives only general supervision or direction from higher level executives, the board of directors, or stockholders of the organization.

Executive capacity generally refers to the employee’s ability to make decisions of wide latitude without much oversight. While an executive may manage a function within an organization, it should not be directly performed by an executive. If the function itself is performed by the intended executive, the position should be viewed as a staff officer or specialist, not as an executive. Generally executives would not have subordinate staff, except for personal staff. Generally, if the person controls and performs a function within an organization but doesn’t have a subordinate staff except for a personal staff, classification in a specialized knowledge capacity is more appropriate.

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Supporting L-1 Visa Petition Documents

September 19, 2022 by Beeraj Patel, Esq.

The primary material that must be produced in order to support the petition for a US intra-company transfer visa is outlined in the following L1 visa document checklist.

Prerequisites for Filing for an L1 Visa

The L1 visa enables important professional personnel to establish a new associated office or relocate from an abroad office to a parent, branch, affiliate, or affiliate of the similar company in the United States. The L1A and L1B are the two variations of the L1 visa.

The L1B visa is for individuals with specialized understanding of the company’s products, services, and processes that are essential to its success, whereas the L1A visa is for workers in executive or managing roles.

In either scenario, you must have held a job for at least a year during the three years before submitting your application and be attempting to enter the US in order to start a similar or related line of employment.

The US employer must submit a petition to the US on your behalf before you may submit your application for an L1 visa. Utilizing Form I-129 and Supplemental Form I-129L, Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ).

L1 Visa Records of Foreign Companies

• Corporate bylaws, a business license and stock certificates
• Account audits
• Financial statements from the last three years’ worth of business income tax returns
• Business transaction records
• Marketing collateral for the company, such as a corporate brochure or a product summary
• Organizational chart, showing the total number of employees and the transferee’s position
• A thorough declaration outlining the ownership and management of the organization from an authorized person
• Company letterhead featuring name, address and company logo

US Company Documents for L1 Visa

• Certificates of Stock Articles of Incorporation
• Business financial statements
• Business license and promotional materials
• Corporate bylaws
• Business description and comprehensive business strategy
• Organizational chart, showing the overall number of employees and your new position
• Lease of a business premises with a detailed statement from an authorized representative outlining possession and control of the company
• Evidence of the initial investment, such as a bank statement
• Return on corporate income taxes
• Form 941 , the Employer’s Quarterly Report
• Letterhead for the business containing the organization’s name, address and logo

Evidence confirming the opening of new premises, such as a contract for office space, sales contracts and copies of pertinent company licenses, will also be needed if you are traveling to the US to open a new office.

Please be aware that the aforementioned lists are certainly not necessarily complete, and you should always get legal guidance depending on the particulars of your company’s operations.

Blanket L Petition

Larger companies might already have received prior clearance through a Blanket L petition . As a result, numerous important employees are able to file for L1 status without having to wait for each petition’s unique USCIS approval.

Certain conditions must be satisfied in order to receive a blanket L visa. The business must:

• Have US subsidiaries and affiliations with combined annual revenues of at least $25 million
• Or have at least 1,000 employees working in the US

If your employer doesn’t match the aforementioned requirements or hasn’t received blanket clearance, an individual petition must be filed on your behalf together with copious evidence to demonstrate the following:

• That there must be shared ownership and control in order for there to be a qualified relationship among the foreign and American companies
• That you have, within the three years before filing the petition, continually worked full-time for the foreign business for at least one year
• That over the course of your one-year overseas employment, the specified business tie between the foreign and American enterprises existed
• Stating that you are looking for employment in the same or a similar role in the United States after working for the foreign company as a manager, executive or specialist in expertise

Supporting L1 Visa Employee Petition Documents

Your employer will receive a notice on form I-797 once a petition has been granted by USCIS. Then, using Form DS-160 , you must complete your online visa application to the Department of State.

Additionally, you must set up an appointment for an interview with the American Embassy in your area. You must bring the following documentation with you:

• The DS-160 confirmation page for a visa application
• DS-160 and L supplement copies
• The receipt for the DS-160 visa application fee
• A passport that is still valid and has at least six months remaining on it
• Any previous passports you may have
• Your most recent CV or resume
• Current color portraits of your face in two pictures
• A duplicate of the I-129 petition sent to USCIS
• The USCIS I-797 approval notification
• A letter asking for an L1 visa from your company to the embassy
• Education diplomas
• Payment receipts
• Fiscal statements
• Position description
• Organizational charts that display your position within the company
• Reference letter from coworkers, superiors and others
• From the foreign company, a letter of proof of employment
• Board decisions or appointment records attesting to the transfer
• Any additional documentation demonstrating the transferee’s competence to function in an executive capacity
• If you have specific knowledge, register patents and trademarks on behalf of your company

In order to prove your candidacy for an L1 visa, you must also submit extensive supporting documents, which may include, but is not limited to, proof of your prior and intended roles in the foreign and US companies, respectively. If you don’t show up with the required paperwork, your petition for an L1 visa may be delayed or even rejected.

L1 Visa Document Mistakes to Avoid

An L1 visa is not automatically granted just because your petition was approved. The details in your application and the supporting documentation will still be used to establish your eligibility.

It goes without saying that if that information is found to be lacking, your application may be considerably delayed or perhaps rejected entirely. Before making a final decision on your visa application, there will, at the absolute least, be a request for more information when there is a lack of information.

Particularly for L1B candidates, the consular officer’s questioning during the interview might be difficult; you will need to provide a convincing justification to show how your specific knowledge is essential to the overall operation and competitiveness of the organization.

By making sure that not only your paperwork is accurate, but also that you respond to any inquiries as honestly and completely as you can, you can considerably increase your chances of being given an L1 visa.

Need Support?

The applicant and their employer must collaborate to gather the necessary L1 supporting documentation in order for the L1-A and L1-B visa status to be granted. Attorneys at Pride Immigration focus exclusively on US immigration. We assist businesses and people from throughout the world with L1 visa petitions to assist in relocating important personnel to the US.

Through the first petitioning and interview procedure , as well as the ensuing extension applications, we offer the employer and employee specialized advice. Contact us if you have any questions about the L1 visa application or eligibility .

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L1B Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The L1B visa was designed to allow foreign companies to transfer certain foreign workers to the United States so that they are able to work as a specialized knowledge worker for an affiliate US office.

In this guide, I’m going to discuss the L1B visa for specialized knowledge workers.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me via email at  [email protected] . I’d be happy to answer your questions and to help you with your L1B visa.

• What is the L1B Visa?
• What are the L1B Visa Requirements?
• Special Rules for L1B Visa New Office Petitions
• How Do I Get an L1B Visa?
• Going from L1A to L1B

1. What is the L1B Visa?

The  L1 Visa  (also known as the intracompany transferee visa) allows the transfer certain employees from foreign companies to work for their United States parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office. If the foreign company does not have a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office in the United States, a new office can also be established in the US by sending an employee.

There are 2 separate classifications of L1, which are the L1A visa and the L1B visa. The L1A visa is for foreign workers who will be working in the United States as either a manager or executive. The L1B visa is for foreign workers who will be working in the United States as a specialized knowledge worker.

The L1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa, so it is temporary in nature and does not directly lead to a green card. For workers who will be coming to the United States to set up a new office, the L1B visa is initially granted for a period of 1 year. For workers coming to work for existing offices, the L1B visa is initially granted for a period of 3 years. The L1B visa can be extended in 2-year increments, for a total period of 5 years.

2.  What are the L1B Visa Requirements?

To get an L1B visa, there are 3 main requirements:

• The foreign company and the US company must have a qualifying relationship.
• The L1B visa beneficiary must have continuously been employed by the foreign company, full-time, for at least 1 year within the previous 3 years prior to filing the L1B petition.
• The L1B visa beneficiary must possess specialized knowledge related to their foreign company and position, and be coming to the US company to work in a position that requires specialized knowledge.

i.  The foreign company and the US company must have a qualifying relationship.

To get an L1B visa, the foreign company and the US company must have a qualifying relationship.

There are 3 types of qualifying relationships that satisfy this requirement:

• Parent/Subsidiary
• Branch office

Check my  L1 Visa Guide  for detailed definitions of each of these types of relationships.

ii.  The L1B visa beneficiary must have continuously been employed by the foreign company, full-time, for at least 1 year within the previous 3 years prior to filing the L1B petition.

• To qualify for an L1B visa, you must have been employed with the foreign company, continuously, for at least 1 year, prior to filing the visa petition.
• The employment must have been full-time.
• The employment must have occurred within the last 3 years prior to filing the L1B petition. For example, a worker with the foreign company looking to start at the US company in March 2021 must’ve started working for the foreign company no earlier than March 2018.

iii. The L1B visa beneficiary must possess specialized knowledge related to their foreign company and position, and be coming to the US company to work in a position that requires specialized knowledge.

• To qualify for an L1B visa, the beneficiary must be coming to the USA to work in a position that requires specialized knowledge.
• The beneficiary’s employment with the foreign company must have also demanded specialized knowledge, such as a special set of skills, training, or knowledge unique to the company that cannot be easily replaced.

Specialized Knowledge Workers

Specialized knowledge can mean either one of 2 things:

• That the employee has special knowledge of the company product and its application in international markets;
• Or that the employee has an advanced level of knowledge of certain processes and procedures of the company.

3. Special Rules for L1B Visa New Office Petitions

The L1B visa is available to people who will be working for existing US companies and for people who will be coming to work for a new office.

A new office is defined as a company which has been doing business for less than 1 year.  When the L1B visa beneficiary comes to the United States to work for a new office, there are special rules which apply.

Special Rules for New Offices:

• Your employer must show that the US company has secured sufficient physical premises to house the business in your petition (demonstrated with an office lease). Secondary evidence can include photos of the office.
• For new offices, initial status is granted for a period of 1 year. Existing office L1B visas, on the other hand, are normally granted for an initial period of 3 years.
• It must be shown that the US company has the ability to pay your wages.
• For new offices, the foreign company that you worked for must continue to operate and maintain a qualifying relationship with the US company.

4.  How Do I Get an L1B Visa?

Here is a simple explanation of how to get an L1B visa:

Step 1: Coordinate with Your Employer

Step 2: hire an immigration lawyer, step 3: gather necessary documents, step 4: file form i-129 and l supplement, step 5: consular processing.

This first step to getting an L1B visa is to coordinate with your employer. Your employer must be involved with your case as a petitioner for the L1B visa.

The second step to getting an L1B visa is to hire an  immigration lawyer . Your immigration lawyer will carefully review your case and determine whether the L1B visa is the appropriate option based on your qualifications and your desired immigration outcomes.

Once determining that the L1B visa is appropriate for you, your  immigration lawyer  will strategize the best way to proceed and will provide you with a list of documents needed to file your case.

The next step to getting your L1B visa is to gather the documents needed to file your L1 petition.

These documents can be broken into 3 main categories:

• Foreign Company Documents
• US Company Documents

L1 Visa Beneficiary Documents

Below is a general list of some of the documents you should anticipate needing for your L1B visa petition.

Foreign Company Documents (provided by employer)

• Stock certificates
• Articles of incorporation
• Business tax returns
• Organizational chart
• Certificate of incorporation
• Financial statements
• Copy of office lease
• Promotional materials
• Pictures of the business

US Company Documents (provided by employer)

• Corporate by-laws
• Financial statements of business
• Business license
• Business plan
• Promotional materials of business
• Copy of passport
• Statement detailing specialized knowledge, which explains why the beneficiary has knowledge unique to the foreign company and knowledge that can’t be replaced by a US worker for the same position
• Evidence that your employment with the foreign company demanded specialized knowledge
• Evidence of projects the beneficiary has worked on
• Evidence of special training the beneficiary has received
• Statement detailing job duties with foreign employer, including percentages of time spent doing each duty
• Statement detailing proposed job duties with US company, including percentages of time to be spent doing each duty
• Pay stubs or other similar evidence showing the date range of employment with the foreign company

The next step is to file the Form I-129 as well as the L supplement. The Form I-129 is also called the Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker. This is the form that must be filed and approved to get your L1 visa.

If you are doing a change of status, from some other non-immigrant status, then once the Form I-129 is approved, all steps are completed, and no further action is required on your part other than to begin working for the US company. If you are applying for an actual L1B visa, you will need to proceed with the following step.

Consular processing is the process of getting a US visa at a US consulate abroad. In order to do this, once your Form I-129 is approved, the appropriate US consulate will schedule a visa interview with you.

At the interview, the immigration officer may ask you various questions about your L1B visa application. Upon approval, an L1 visa should be affixed to your passport within roughly 1 week.

Important Note for Canadian Citizens:

• Citizens of Canada can apply for L1 directly at a US port of entry (POE).
• For Canadians that wish to apply at the port of entry, their application will be reviewed by the Customs and Border Protection Agency.
• Canadian citizens do not have to file a Form I-129 with USCIS.

5. Going from L1B to L1A

The L1A visa is for foreign workers who will be working in the United States as either a manager or executive. For individuals already on L1B, a change to L1A is possible. If promoted within the US company, specialized workers can change status to L1A.

You must have the change to L1A approved in an amended, new, or extended petition at the time that the change to executive or managerial responsibilities occurred. To be eligible for the 7-year L1A period of stay, you must have been employed in an executive or managerial position for at least six months.

6. Conclusion

The L1B visa is a terrific option which allows foreign companies to transfer certain workers to the United States to work as a specialized knowledge worker for a related US company. With an L1B visa the foreign worker can work in the US for up to 5 years.

If you have any questions about the L1B visa, or if you need help getting your L1B visa, please feel free to email me directly at  [email protected] . I’m very responsive to emails and would be happy to assist you.

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Chapter 3 - Managers and Executives (L-1A)

The L-1A classification is reserved for certain managers and executives. [1] Executive or managerial capacity requires a certain level of authority and can consist of a mix of job duties. [2] There are two main types of managers, function managers and personnel managers. [3] Managers and executives plan, organize, direct, and control an organization’s major functions and work through other employees to achieve the organization’s goals. First-line supervisors, such as those who plan, schedule, and supervise the day-to-day work of nonprofessional employees, are not employed in an executive or managerial capacity, even though they may be referred to as managers in their organization.

In addition, persons who primarily perform the tasks necessary to produce the product or provide the service of an organization are not employed in an executive or managerial capacity. [4]

The same managerial and executive capacity definitions apply to the nature of the beneficiary’s position abroad and in the United States. However, the beneficiary need not perform the same work in the United States that they performed abroad. [5]  In addition, the work abroad may have been in more than one capacity.

A. Determining Managerial or Executive Job Duties

To determine managerial or executive capacity, officers must look first to the petitioner’s description of the job duties to determine that the duties are primarily of an executive or a managerial nature. This standard ensures that a beneficiary not only has the requisite authority, but that a majority of their duties relate to operational or policy management, not to the supervision of nonprofessional employees, performance of the duties of another type of position, or other involvement in the operational activities of the company.

This does not mean that the executive or manager cannot apply their technical or professional expertise to a particular problem. Certain positions necessarily require a manager to apply their technical or professional expertise on an incidental basis from time to time, and that is permissible. That said, the regulations specifically require that the beneficiary be engaged primarily in a managerial or executive capacity. Accordingly, officers should focus on the primary duties of the beneficiary in determining whether the beneficiary qualifies as a manager or executive.

To determine whether a beneficiary’s job duties will be primarily managerial or executive, an officer must consider the totality of the evidence in the record and weigh all relevant factors. Such factors may include:

The nature and scope of the petitioner’s business;

The petitioner’s organizational structure, staffing levels, and the beneficiary’s position within the petitioner’s organization;

The scope of the beneficiary’s authority;

The work performed by other staff within the petitioner’s organization, including whether those employees relieve the beneficiary from performing operational and administrative duties; and

Any other factors that contribute to understanding a beneficiary’s actual duties and role in the business. [6]

B. Determining Whether Job Duties are Primarily Managerial or Executive

USCIS does not consider a beneficiary to be acting in a managerial or executive capacity (as previously defined) merely based on the number of employees that they:

Supervise or have supervised; or

Direct or have directed.

If staffing levels are used as a factor in determining whether a beneficiary is acting in a managerial or executive capacity, officers should consider the reasonable needs of the:

Organization;

Component; or

L-1 Beneficiary May Own the Organization

The beneficiary may own the foreign or U.S. organization in whole or in part. However, maintaining a ceremonial title and position, such as Director or President, without being primarily engaged in the management of the organization, is not qualifying for L-1 purposes. [7]

[^ 1] For the definitions of L-1 executives and managers, see INA 101(a)(44 ), 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(B) , and 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(C) . Notably, in the legal construction of the L-1A regulations, there is no clause of “and” or “in addition to” or any other qualifier between 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(B) governing L-1A managerial beneficiaries and 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(C) governing L-1A executive beneficiaries that requires beneficiaries to meet the regulatory criteria of both discreet subcategories for L-1A beneficiaries. Therefore, a beneficiary is either an L-1A manager under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(B) or an L-1A executive under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(C) , meeting either one criteria or the other. A beneficiary does not have to meet both.

[^ 2] For definitions of executive and managerial capacity, see Chapter 6, Key Concepts [ 2 USCIS-PM L.6 ].

[^ 3] For more information on function managers, see Chapter 6, Key Concepts, Section C, Managerial Capacity, Subsection 2, Function Manager [ 2 USCIS-PM L.6(C)(2) ].

[^ 4] See Matter of Church Scientology Int’l (PDF) , 19 I&N Dec. 593 (Comm. 1988).

[^ 5] For example, someone who had specialized knowledge abroad could enter the United States as a manager or executive. See 9 FAM 402.12-12(F) , Beneficiary Need Not Perform Same Work in the United States as Abroad.

[^ 6] See Matter of Z-A-, Inc. (PDF) , Adopted Decision 2016-02 (AAO Apr. 14, 2016). While the case does not address whether a beneficiary will be working primarily as a manager of personnel or as an executive, and the analysis should not be used in those cases, officers should continue to analyze L-1A petitions where the position is for a personnel manager or an executive as they were doing before Matter of Z-A-, Inc. was designated as an adopted decision.

[^ 7] See Matter of Aphrodite Investments (PDF) , 17 I&N Dec. 530 (Comm. 1980).

8 CFR 214.1(c)(5) - Decision on application for extension or change of status

8 CFR 214.2(l) - Intracompany transferees

8 CFR 214.2(q)(5)(ii) - Petition for multiple participants

INA 101(a)(15)(L) - Definition of L nonimmigrant classification

INA 101(a)(44) - Definition of managerial capacity and executive capacity

INA 214(c)  - Admission of nonimmigrants

INA 214(c)(12) - Fraud prevention and detection fee

INA 214(c)(2) - Petition of importing employer for L nonimmigrant

I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker

I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

How to Use the USCIS Policy Manual Website (PDF, 2.99 MB)

No appendices available at this time.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS determines eligibility for L-1 nonimmigrants seeking classification as managers or executives or specialized knowledge workers.  Note: This update consolidates and updates guidance that was previously contained in the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) Chapter 32, as well as related AFM appendices and policy memoranda. This update is not intended to change existing policy or create new policy.

2 USCIS-PM L - Part L - Intracompany Transferees (L)

This technical update replaces all instances of the term “alien” with “noncitizen” or other appropriate terms throughout the Policy Manual where possible, as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].

1 USCIS-PM - Volume 1 - General Policies and Procedures

2 USCIS-PM - Volume 2 - Nonimmigrants

6 USCIS-PM - Volume 6 - Immigrants

7 USCIS-PM - Volume 7 - Adjustment of Status

8 USCIS-PM - Volume 8 - Admissibility

9 USCIS-PM - Volume 9 - Waivers and Other Forms of Relief

10 USCIS-PM - Volume 10 - Employment Authorization

11 USCIS-PM - Volume 11 - Travel and Identity Documents

12 USCIS-PM - Volume 12 - Citizenship and Naturalization

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2020. This guidance becomes effective October 2, 2020. For information regarding implementation, see Appendix: 2020 Fee Rule Litigation Summary .

1 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Public Services

1 USCIS-PM B - Part B - Submission of Benefit Requests

7 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Adjustment of Status Policies and Procedures

7 USCIS-PM F - Part F - Special Immigrant-Based Adjustment

7 USCIS-PM M - Part M - Asylee Adjustment

11 USCIS-PM A - Part A - Secure Identity Documents Policies and Procedures

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating and incorporating relevant Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) content into the USCIS Policy Manual. As that process is ongoing, USCIS has moved any remaining AFM content to its corresponding USCIS Policy Manual Part, in PDF format, until relevant AFM content has been properly incorporated into the USCIS Policy Manual. To the extent that a provision in the USCIS Policy Manual conflicts with remaining AFM content or Policy Memoranda, the updated information in the USCIS Policy Manual prevails. To find remaining AFM content, see the crosswalk (PDF, 316.97 KB)  between the AFM and the Policy Manual.

3 USCIS-PM - Volume 3 - Humanitarian Protection and Parole

4 USCIS-PM - Volume 4 - Refugees and Asylees

5 USCIS-PM - Volume 5 - Adoptions

This technical update replaces all instances of the term “foreign national” with “alien” throughout the Policy Manual as used to refer to a person who meets the definition provided in INA 101(a)(3) [“any person not a citizen or national of the United States”].

Version History

No historical versions available.