Frequently Asked Questions About the L-1B Visa

The most important distinction in the L-1B is between being a good employee and having legally sufficient specific knowledge of the company's business. Company affiliation, foreign experience, and need for a U.S. mission should be considered together when evaluating questions. The answers below explain that these elements are not interchangeable. ¹

What does specialized knowledge mean in L-1B?

Specific knowledge of the company's products or services and their international application or advanced knowledge of company processes may be evaluated. General professional ability alone is not sufficient. It should be explained what the person knows, how he acquired it, and how he will use it in his US mission. ¹

Should I be the only one in the world who knows this information?

No. It is not a general obligation that only one person has the information. However, it is not enough to just call common and easily identifiable basic skills “special”. The company context, the advanced or specialized nature of the information, and the individual's actual mastery of that information must be demonstrated by concrete documentation. ¹

Is a university degree mandatory?

The evaluation of the individual L-1B is not the same as the specific specialty occupation and educational approach of the H-1B. However, the role and expertise must be appropriately documented. Blanket L applications have separate requirements for professionals with special knowledge; Individual application should not be confused with blanket method. ¹

How many years should I work in a foreign company?

In general, you must have worked for the eligible foreign organization for at least one continuous year during the relevant three-year period. Prior U.S. employment and entry history may affect the evaluation of that period. Dates should be verified with documentation such as payroll and entry-exit records rather than a resume. ¹

Is working for the same company for ten years enough?

Long tenure may help explain how specific knowledge is acquired; but L-1B alone does not ensure eligibility. Ten years of routine work experience is not the same as advanced knowledge of company processes. Duties, training, project responsibility, and use of knowledge in US business must be demonstrated. ¹

Can I work in a client office?

These regulations require special scrutiny. Who supervises and controls, the connection of the task to the company's specific knowledge, and the nature of staffing are important. Being at the customer site is not prohibited per se; But not every external assignment can be considered appropriate. Contracts and actual working order are examined together. ¹

Is it possible if the companies are only bound by a distributorship agreement?

Distributorship, franchising or customer relations alone do not constitute an appropriate corporate relationship of category L. The definition of parent company, subsidiary, branch or eligible subsidiary must be met. Ownership and control records must be shown on file. Commercial proximity and legal company ties are not the same thing. ¹

How many years is L-1B issued?

In the case of suitable existing offices, the initial period can be up to three years, and in new offices it can generally be up to one year. The grand total L-1B limit is five years. Certain previous H/L periods and eligible overseas periods may change the calculation. There is no guarantee that the full maximum time will be given for every application. ¹

Can my spouse work?

Eligible L-2 spouses may demonstrate work authorization with their L-2S status. I-94 classification and validity should be checked. The same work authorization does not exist for L-2 children. Changes in the primary employee's status and work situation may also affect the plans of family members. ²¹

If I switch to L-1A, do I automatically get seven years?

No. The actual manager or senior manager role, the timing of the transition, and the necessary eligibility requirements are examined. Simply changing title just before the L-1B five-year limit is not enough. Working in the relevant manager position and change approval rules should be evaluated separately. ¹

Does L-1B approval also approve the Green Card application?

No. L-1B is a temporary working class. EB-2, EB-3, or another immigration category has its own requirements. The employer's PERM or I-140 preparation, visa number and the person's final residence procedures are planned separately. L-1B approval alone does not grant permanent residence. ³⁴⁵

Which document is most important?

There is not a single document in each file. Corporate affiliation, foreign employment, content of proprietary information, and U.S. assignment are indicated by different documents. General letters of support; It becomes more understandable when supported by training, projects and business records. It is not the quantity of the document that is important, but its connection with the specific condition. ¹⁶