L1是一种非移民工作签证，对于在跨国公司工作并愿意作为公司内部人员调派进入美国工作的员工来说，这可能是一种合适的选择。
美国移民局可将这些临时签证授予高管、经理或具有专业知识的人员。美国国会于1970年设立了L1签证，以便雇主能够更有效地将公司内部人员从外国调派到美国。此外，持有L1A签证的外国人可能有资格获得EB-1C类绿卡。
在过去三年中至少有一年连续为跨国公司工作的高管或经理有资格获得L1A签证。美国移民局将高管定义为有权“在没有太多监督的情况下做出广泛决策”的人。而符合资格的经理人员应监督专业人士、至少负责一个部门或管理企业的一个重要职能。
L1B签证是另外一种选择，适合那些具有专业知识，并且这些专业知识与跨国公司的利益相关。一般而言，美国移民局认为如该专业人士拥有与跨国公司的生产链或程序或国际市场利益相关的高级知识，就可能符合L1B签证的要求。有了这类非移民签证，持有人如果符合设立美国办事处的标准，也可以进入美国设立办事处。
为了获得L1A或L1B跨国公司内部调派签证，跨国公司和拟调派员工需满足一定的要求。
一般来说，在美国的公司如果符合两个标准，就有资格成为L1签证的跨国公司：
- 与外国公司有合格关系（母公司、分公司、子公司或关联公司）
- L1员工在美拟工作期间，正在或将在美国和至少一个其他国家正常经营
无论公司内部调动的L1签证申请人是高管、经理还是具有专业知识的专业人士，他们都需要具备多项资格要求。为了满足L1A或L1B签证的要求，拟调派的L1 员工应以高管、经理或专业人士的角色在过去三年中至少在跨国公司连续工作一年以上。
L1签证与其他类型的非移民签证相比有几个优势。其中包括：
- 配偶和21周岁以下的未婚子女可获得L2签证
- 持L2签证的配偶自动获得不受限制的工作许可，而无需向 USCIS 申请EAD工卡（尽管如此，他们仍然可以申请EAD工卡以作为身份证件）
- 持L2签证的子女可就读公立学校直至21周岁
- 签证没有名额限制，可以立即申请，相比较于H-1B工作签证有名额限制，且只能在每年的特定时间内申请
- L1A总共可7年，L1B总共可5年
- 满足条件的雇主可以申请L1一揽子签证
- L1A签证可能有助于获得EB-1C绿卡
L1签证申请流程的第一步是填写I-129表格，并将申请表与证明文件一起提交给美国移民局。在美国的雇主是申请人（Petitioner）。雇主可寻求律师协助申请文件的准备。
如果美国移民局确定申请符合L1签证的要求并批准申请，拟调派员工（Beneficiary）就可以向其原籍国的美国领事馆申请L1签证。如果拟调派员工在提交I-129表格时处于合法身份，并在I-129表格中请求转换身份，且在提交后从未离开美国，则拟调派员工的身份将直接转换成L1身份。但是，如果L1员工离开美国，则必须先获得L1签证才能作为L1签证人员重新进入美国。
L1跨国公司派遣签证第一次有效期一般为1至3年，具体取决于L1的类型以及申请公司的年龄和情况。尽管如此，可以申请L1签证延期。与最初的L1申请程序一样，申请人需向移民局提交I-129申请表以及相关证明文件。
如果一家公司在一年内已经为其外籍员工获得10个或以上的L1跨国公司内部调派签证，或者拥有符合条件的规模或资产，则可以考虑申请L1签证一揽子申请。精通L1一揽子申请的签证律师可以为那些认为自己可能符合条件的公司提供建议。
L1签证是美国的非移民工作签证。这不是绿卡。然而，获得L1A签证（非L1B签证）的个人可能有资格获得EB-1C绿卡。EB-1C又称跨国公司高管绿卡。尽管申请EB-1C绿卡不是必需先获得L1A工作签证，但最好如此。
事实上，EB-1C绿卡经常被当作是EB-5投资移民绿卡的替代方案。对于在海外创业的企业家来说, EB-1可能是一个可行的移民方案。
在外国公司担任高管职务后，外国人可以在美国设立新公司或购买类似公司，并获得1年L-1A签证，从而进入美国创业。在美国分公司蓬勃发展一年或更长时间后，创业者可以考虑向美国移民局提交I-140表格，申请EB-1C跨国公司高管绿卡。
提交I-140表格只是申请绿卡的第一步。为了最终获得绿卡，L-1A签证持有人应向美国移民局提交I-485表格。
i-485
如果移民排期当前，可以同时提交I-485表和I-140表。否则，必须等到移民排期排到才能提交I-485表格。
从L1A签证到获得绿卡的整个过程一般为3-6年。在获得绿卡之前，外国公司和在美国的公司必须一直保持关联关系并持续经营。
L1B签证持有人不能申请EB-1C绿卡。然而，他们有可能申请EB-2（具有高级学位/特殊能力的外籍员工）或EB-3（专业人员、技术工人和其他工人）类别的绿卡。
与EB-1C不同的是，他们的雇主需要从劳工部获得劳工证（PERM），然后将PERM和I-140表格一起提交。
与EB-1C类似，L1B签证持有人申请基于EB-2或EB-3的绿卡必需等待排期排到才能提交I-485申请。
L1B签证持有人获得绿卡的时间差别很大，因为等待移民排期的时间差别很大。例如，在印度出生的申请者要等10年以上，而在德国出生的申请者只等1年左右，甚至根本没有等待时间。无论如何，打算申请前先咨询有经验的律师是明智之举。
The L1 is a type of non-immigrant work visa that might be a suitable choice for individuals working in multinational companies who are willing to be internally transferred to work in the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants these temporary visas to executives, managers, or individuals with specialized knowledge. The L1 visa was established by the U.S. Congress in 1970 to enable employers to efficiently transfer their internal staff to work in the United States. Additionally, foreign nationals holding an L1A visa may be eligible for the EB-1C green card.
Two Types of L1 Visas
For individuals working in multinational companies, they may qualify for either the L1A or L1B visa.
L1A Visa
The L1A visa is available for executives or managers who have worked for at least one year continuously within the past three years in a multinational company. USCIS defines executives as individuals with the authority to make broad decisions without much supervision. Qualified managers should supervise professional employees, be in charge of at least one department, or manage a critical function of the business.
L1B Visa
The L1B visa is an alternative for those with specialized knowledge related to the interests of the multinational company. Generally, USCIS considers individuals eligible for the L1B visa if they possess advanced knowledge related to the company’s production, processes, or international markets.
Eligibility Requirements for L1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
To obtain the L1A or L1B intracompany transferee visa, both the multinational company and the prospective employee must meet specific requirements.
Requirements for the Multinational Company
Generally, a company in the U.S. may qualify for L1 visas if it meets two criteria:
It has a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate).
While the L1 employee will work in the U.S., the company should be conducting regular business in the U.S. and at least one other country.
Requirements for the L1 Employee
Whether an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge professional, the prospective L1 employee must fulfill several qualifying criteria. To meet the requirements for the L1A or L1B visa, the intracompany transferee should have worked continuously for at least one year within the past three years in the multinational company and in an executive, managerial, or specialized role.
Advantages of Obtaining the L1 Visa
Compared to other non-immigrant visas, the L1 visa offers several advantages:
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can obtain L2 visas, and spouses can automatically receive unrestricted work authorization without needing to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (although they can still apply for an EAD card as an identification document).
Children holding L2 visas can attend public schools until they reach 21 years of age.
The L1 visa is not subject to numerical caps and can be applied for immediately, unlike certain visas such as the H-1B visa, which have numerical limits and specific annual application periods.
The L1A visa can be granted for a total of 7 years, and the L1B visa for a total of 5 years.
Eligible employers can apply for the L1 blanket petition.
The L1A visa may assist in obtaining the EB-1C green card.
L1 Visa Application Process
The first step in the L1 visa application process is for the U.S. employer to complete the I-129 form and submit it to USCIS along with supporting documents. The employer may seek the assistance of an L1 visa attorney to prepare the application package. If USCIS determines that the application meets the requirements for the L1 visa and approves it, the prospective employee can apply for the L1 visa at the U.S. consulate in their home country. If the intracompany transferee is in lawful status in the U.S. at the time of filing the I-129 and requests a change of status on the form and has not departed the U.S. since the filing, the employee’s status will be directly changed to L1 status. However, if the L1 employee departs the U.S., they must obtain the L1 visa to re-enter the U.S. as an L1 visa holder.
L1 Visa Extension Application
The initial validity period of the L1 intracompany transferee visa is usually between 1 to 3 years, depending on the type of L1 and the circumstances of the applying company. Nevertheless, individuals can apply for an extension of the L1 visa. The process of applying for an extension is similar to the initial L1 visa application, requiring the submission of the I-129 form and relevant supporting documents to USCIS.
L1 Visa Blanket Petition
Companies that have obtained 10 or more L1 intracompany transferee visas for their foreign employees within one year or meet specific size or asset criteria may consider applying for an L1 visa blanket petition. Competent visa attorneys experienced with L1 blanket petitions can provide advice to companies that believe they meet the criteria.
Transition from L1 Visa to Green Card
L1A Visa to Green Card
The L1 visa is a non-immigrant work visa in the U.S. and not a green card. However, individuals holding an L1A visa may be eligible to apply for the EB-1C green card, also known as the multinational manager or executive green card. While it is not a requirement to have an L1A visa before applying for EB-1C green card, having an L1A visa may be advantageous.
The EB-1C green card is often considered an alternative to the EB-5 immigrant investor green card. For entrepreneurs who have established businesses overseas, EB-1C might be a viable immigration option. After serving as an executive in a foreign company, the individual can establish a new or similar company in the U.S. and obtain a one-year L-1A visa to enter the U.S. for business purposes. After one year or more of successful operation in the U.S. branch, the entrepreneur may consider submitting the I-140 form to USCIS to apply for the EB-1C multinational manager or executive green card.
Submitting the I-140 form is only the first step in the green card application process. To ultimately obtain the green card, the L-1A visa holder should submit the I-485 form to USCIS. If the priority date is current, both the I-485 and I-140 forms can be filed concurrently. Otherwise, the I-485 form must wait for the priority date to become current before it can be filed.
The entire process from L-1A visa to green card can take approximately 3-6 years. During this time, the foreign company and the U.S. company must maintain the qualifying relationship and continue to operate.
L1B Visa to Green Card
L1B visa holders are not eligible to apply for the EB-1C green card. However, they may be eligible to apply for green cards in the EB-2 (foreign nationals with advanced degrees/special abilities) or EB-3 (skilled workers, professionals, and other workers) categories.
Unlike EB-1C, their employer will need to obtain a Labor Certification (PERM) from the Department of Labor, which will be submitted together with the I-140 form.
Similar to EB-1C, L1B visa holders applying for green cards based on EB-2 or EB-3 must wait for the priority date to become current before filing the I-485 application.
The time for L1B visa holders to obtain a green card can vary significantly due to the waiting time for the priority date. For example, applicants born in India may have to wait for over 10 years, while those born in Germany may only wait for about a year or even have no waiting time at all. In any case, consulting an experienced attorney before applying is advisable.