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• Summary

BLANKET L PETITIONS

Often, as in the example of the French company transfer of the engineer, a company wishes to transfer an alien from another country to one of its subsidiaries, affiliates, branches, or parent in the United States. Available visa strategies include the L-1A (executive/manager) and L-1B (specialized knowledge) for intracompany transferees. Many larger companies have blanket L petition approval, which can be used for a multitude of employment positions at numerous subsidiaries/locations. For this expedited procedure, only those individuals who have been employed abroad in a managerial, executive or specialized knowledge professional capacity and who will be entering the United States to work in one of these capacities may use the blanket procedure. Blanket Petitions offer easier movement of employees. After a company has obtained blanket L petition approval, individuals apply for L visa stamps at a United States Consulate abroad, presenting a signed I-129S petition and proof of qualifying employment. Upon visa issuance, they may enter the United States. Canadian citizens do not need visa stamps. Therefore, they may apply for L-1 admission directly at a United States port of entry on the Canadian border. Evidence of the qualifying corporate relationship is not required for the blanket L intracompany transferee.

If a company does not have a blanket petition, an individual L-1A or L-1B nonimmigrant visa petition must be filed for an intracompany transfer. The United States employer files for this visa status for executives, managers, or employees who have specialized knowledge of products, processes, or operating policies and procedures. The L-1 petition must be filed with an INS regional service center. Upon approval, the individual may apply for an L-1 visa stamp at a U.S. Consulate. Canadian citizens may file the petition directly at an INS port of entry since Canadians are not required to present an L visa stamp at the United States border.

For employees with L-1A or L-1B status, the initial maximum period of authorized stay is three years. Extensions can be granted for individuals with L-1A (executive/manager) status up to a maximum stay of seven years. Extensions for individuals with L-1B (specialized knowledge) status can be granted for a maximum stay of five years. Spouses of L-1’s may obtain work authorization.

For more information on L-visas, please click here.