Terms & Definitions

The L-1B Intra-Company Transferee Visa is designed for employees with specialized knowledge who are transferring to a U.S. office, affiliate, subsidiary, or branch of their foreign employer. It is intended for those who have worked abroad for at least one continuous year within the past three years and possess specialized knowledge that is critical to the company’s operations.

To qualify, the employer must:

• Have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate).
• Be actively doing business in the U.S. and at least one other country during the employee’s stay in L-1B status.

The employee must:

• Have worked for a qualifying organization abroad for at least one continuous year within the past three years.
• Be transferring to the U.S. to work in a specialized knowledge role.

For employees establishing a new U.S. office, the initial stay is limited to one year. For all other L-1B employees, the initial stay is up to three years, with extensions available in two-year increments, up to a maximum of five years. The spouse and minor children of L-1B employees may obtain visas to accompany the visa holder; spouses are permitted to work in the U.S. incident to L-2S status.

For assistance with your L-1B petition or other immigration matters, contact our office.