Intra-company transfer L-1 Visa

The L-1, intra-company transfer visa, is for companies who want to transfer an employee from an overseas office to the company’s U.S. office for a temporary period of time.   Executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge who have worked for the overseas company for at least one of the most recent three years can qualify.  The company the employee worked for overseas must be either a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of the U.S. company.

An executive or manager can come for an initial maximum stay of up to seven years, and an employee with specialized knowledge can come initially for up to five years.  Spouses of L-1 visa holders are authorized to work in the U.S. as well.