L-1B Specialized Knowledge Visa

Get L-1B specialized knowledge visa

What is an L1B visa? This is a non-immigrant visa that provides the opportunity to temporarily transfer an employee with unique knowledge to the American office of an international company. It is about a deep understanding of a product, process, technology or work methodology that is critical to the company's business. Understanding what is L1B visa is essential before beginning the application process - and we help with that.

How to apply for an L-1B visa USA?

L1B visa processing time depends on the successful completion of these stages:

• The sponsoring company in the USA files Form I-129 with Appendix L;
• Evidence of the employee's specialized knowledge is collected: job duties, projects, certificates;
• Proof of corporate connection between the company's offices is submitted;
• The lawyer forms a cover letter and prepares a response to possible USCIS requests;
• After the petition is approved, the employee submits visa documents to the US consulate.

Following these steps ensures effective document preparation, reduces the risk of rejection, and increases the possibility of an L1B visa extension after 3 years.

Basic L1B visa requirements

Applying for an L-1B visa application USA requires compliance with a number of requirements:

• The employee must be a unique specialist. This means knowledge that is not generally available or common in the industry.
• The employer must be an affiliated company in the US - that is, be a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliated legal entity.
• Confirmation of employment abroad - the employee must have contracts, recommendations, payment documents that confirm his experience.

Compliance with these conditions significantly increases the chances of approval and ensures correct registration.

How legal support helps to obtain an visa L1B?

Involving a specialist significantly increases the likelihood of approval. Legal assistance in obtaining an L-1B visa includes:

1. Analysis of the employee's compliance with USCIS requirements;
2. Preparation of a substantiated petition with an explanation of the specifics of the employee's knowledge;
3. Support during the submission of documents;
4. Control of deadlines for submission and responses to USCIS requests (RFE, NOID);
5. Consultations for HR and company management on internal procedures and L1B visa duration.

Specialists of our "Consultant" platform have successful experience in preparing L-1B cases, including conversions to a Green Card (L-1B to EB-1C).

Advantages of the L-1B visa and the possibility of changing the status

When choosing L1A vs L1B visa, it is worth considering the advantages of the second option:

1. Residence permit for up to 5 years (initially - 3 years + 2 years of extension), with the possibility of L1B visa extension after 5 years;
2. Possibility of transporting the family (L-2 visa for spouses and children);
3. Spouse has the right to work in the USA;
4. Possibility to get a Green Card, but for this it is worth considering the L1B visa to Green Card timeline
5. Possibility of transforming L-1B into immigration status (through EB-1C, EB-2/EB-3 with PERM).

L-1B allows you to attract and retain specialists with unique knowledge for the long term.