The L1a Visa classification allows a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from any of its affiliated or subsidiary foreign offices to any of its offices located in the United States. L1a Visa allows a foreign company without an affiliate or subsidiary company in the U.S. to transfer an executive or manager to the U.S. to establish one.
The employer will apply on behalf of the executive or manager, and pay the visa fee. However, other requirements must be satisfied.
Some requirements for the Employer and Employee
- The employer must have a relationship with the foreign company (parent, affiliate, subsidiary, or branch).
- The employer must be or will be doing business as an employer in the U.S. and at least one other country over the period that the executive or manager to be transferred will be in the United States.
- The detailed job description of the executive or manager must be attached to the application.
- The executive must have the executive power – to make decisions relating to the activities of the company without any oversight.
- The manager must possess the ability and supervisory responsibility for the professional employees or staff and manage the organization, a department, subdivision, or any component of the organization or company.
- The employee (executive or manager) must have been working for the company or organization in a foreign country for at least one year.
Other relevant Information about L1a Visa
- Successful executives and managers are issued L1a Visas for three years but renewable in two-year increments up to seven years maximum limit.
- For new offices in the United States, the L1a Visas can be issued only for only one year.
- The transferring executive or manager may be accompanied by his or her spouse and unmarried children who are below 21 years old.