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L1B Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The L1B visa was designed to allow foreign companies to transfer certain foreign workers to the United States so that they are able to work as a specialized knowledge worker for an affiliate US office.

In this guide, I’m going to discuss the L1B visa for specialized knowledge workers.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me via email at  [email protected] . I’d be happy to answer your questions and to help you with your L1B visa.

• What is the L1B Visa?
• What are the L1B Visa Requirements?
• Special Rules for L1B Visa New Office Petitions
• How Do I Get an L1B Visa?
• Going from L1A to L1B

1. What is the L1B Visa?

The  L1 Visa  (also known as the intracompany transferee visa) allows the transfer certain employees from foreign companies to work for their United States parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office. If the foreign company does not have a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office in the United States, a new office can also be established in the US by sending an employee.

There are 2 separate classifications of L1, which are the L1A visa and the L1B visa. The L1A visa is for foreign workers who will be working in the United States as either a manager or executive. The L1B visa is for foreign workers who will be working in the United States as a specialized knowledge worker.

The L1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa, so it is temporary in nature and does not directly lead to a green card. For workers who will be coming to the United States to set up a new office, the L1B visa is initially granted for a period of 1 year. For workers coming to work for existing offices, the L1B visa is initially granted for a period of 3 years. The L1B visa can be extended in 2-year increments, for a total period of 5 years.

2.  What are the L1B Visa Requirements?

To get an L1B visa, there are 3 main requirements:

• The foreign company and the US company must have a qualifying relationship.
• The L1B visa beneficiary must have continuously been employed by the foreign company, full-time, for at least 1 year within the previous 3 years prior to filing the L1B petition.
• The L1B visa beneficiary must possess specialized knowledge related to their foreign company and position, and be coming to the US company to work in a position that requires specialized knowledge.

i.  The foreign company and the US company must have a qualifying relationship.

To get an L1B visa, the foreign company and the US company must have a qualifying relationship.

There are 3 types of qualifying relationships that satisfy this requirement:

• Parent/Subsidiary
• Branch office

Check my  L1 Visa Guide  for detailed definitions of each of these types of relationships.

ii.  The L1B visa beneficiary must have continuously been employed by the foreign company, full-time, for at least 1 year within the previous 3 years prior to filing the L1B petition.

• To qualify for an L1B visa, you must have been employed with the foreign company, continuously, for at least 1 year, prior to filing the visa petition.
• The employment must have been full-time.
• The employment must have occurred within the last 3 years prior to filing the L1B petition. For example, a worker with the foreign company looking to start at the US company in March 2021 must’ve started working for the foreign company no earlier than March 2018.

iii. The L1B visa beneficiary must possess specialized knowledge related to their foreign company and position, and be coming to the US company to work in a position that requires specialized knowledge.

• To qualify for an L1B visa, the beneficiary must be coming to the USA to work in a position that requires specialized knowledge.
• The beneficiary’s employment with the foreign company must have also demanded specialized knowledge, such as a special set of skills, training, or knowledge unique to the company that cannot be easily replaced.

Specialized Knowledge Workers

Specialized knowledge can mean either one of 2 things:

• That the employee has special knowledge of the company product and its application in international markets;
• Or that the employee has an advanced level of knowledge of certain processes and procedures of the company.

3. Special Rules for L1B Visa New Office Petitions

The L1B visa is available to people who will be working for existing US companies and for people who will be coming to work for a new office.

A new office is defined as a company which has been doing business for less than 1 year.  When the L1B visa beneficiary comes to the United States to work for a new office, there are special rules which apply.

Special Rules for New Offices:

• Your employer must show that the US company has secured sufficient physical premises to house the business in your petition (demonstrated with an office lease). Secondary evidence can include photos of the office.
• For new offices, initial status is granted for a period of 1 year. Existing office L1B visas, on the other hand, are normally granted for an initial period of 3 years.
• It must be shown that the US company has the ability to pay your wages.
• For new offices, the foreign company that you worked for must continue to operate and maintain a qualifying relationship with the US company.

4.  How Do I Get an L1B Visa?

Here is a simple explanation of how to get an L1B visa:

Step 1: Coordinate with Your Employer

Step 2: hire an immigration lawyer, step 3: gather necessary documents, step 4: file form i-129 and l supplement, step 5: consular processing.

This first step to getting an L1B visa is to coordinate with your employer. Your employer must be involved with your case as a petitioner for the L1B visa.

The second step to getting an L1B visa is to hire an  immigration lawyer . Your immigration lawyer will carefully review your case and determine whether the L1B visa is the appropriate option based on your qualifications and your desired immigration outcomes.

Once determining that the L1B visa is appropriate for you, your  immigration lawyer  will strategize the best way to proceed and will provide you with a list of documents needed to file your case.

The next step to getting your L1B visa is to gather the documents needed to file your L1 petition.

These documents can be broken into 3 main categories:

• Foreign Company Documents
• US Company Documents

L1 Visa Beneficiary Documents

Below is a general list of some of the documents you should anticipate needing for your L1B visa petition.

Foreign Company Documents (provided by employer)

• Stock certificates
• Articles of incorporation
• Business tax returns
• Organizational chart
• Certificate of incorporation
• Financial statements
• Copy of office lease
• Promotional materials
• Pictures of the business

US Company Documents (provided by employer)

• Corporate by-laws
• Financial statements of business
• Business license
• Business plan
• Promotional materials of business
• Copy of passport
• Statement detailing specialized knowledge, which explains why the beneficiary has knowledge unique to the foreign company and knowledge that can’t be replaced by a US worker for the same position
• Evidence that your employment with the foreign company demanded specialized knowledge
• Evidence of projects the beneficiary has worked on
• Evidence of special training the beneficiary has received
• Statement detailing job duties with foreign employer, including percentages of time spent doing each duty
• Statement detailing proposed job duties with US company, including percentages of time to be spent doing each duty
• Pay stubs or other similar evidence showing the date range of employment with the foreign company

The next step is to file the Form I-129 as well as the L supplement. The Form I-129 is also called the Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker. This is the form that must be filed and approved to get your L1 visa.

If you are doing a change of status, from some other non-immigrant status, then once the Form I-129 is approved, all steps are completed, and no further action is required on your part other than to begin working for the US company. If you are applying for an actual L1B visa, you will need to proceed with the following step.

Consular processing is the process of getting a US visa at a US consulate abroad. In order to do this, once your Form I-129 is approved, the appropriate US consulate will schedule a visa interview with you.

At the interview, the immigration officer may ask you various questions about your L1B visa application. Upon approval, an L1 visa should be affixed to your passport within roughly 1 week.

Important Note for Canadian Citizens:

• Citizens of Canada can apply for L1 directly at a US port of entry (POE).
• For Canadians that wish to apply at the port of entry, their application will be reviewed by the Customs and Border Protection Agency.
• Canadian citizens do not have to file a Form I-129 with USCIS.

5. Going from L1B to L1A

The L1A visa is for foreign workers who will be working in the United States as either a manager or executive. For individuals already on L1B, a change to L1A is possible. If promoted within the US company, specialized workers can change status to L1A.

You must have the change to L1A approved in an amended, new, or extended petition at the time that the change to executive or managerial responsibilities occurred. To be eligible for the 7-year L1A period of stay, you must have been employed in an executive or managerial position for at least six months.

6. Conclusion

The L1B visa is a terrific option which allows foreign companies to transfer certain workers to the United States to work as a specialized knowledge worker for a related US company. With an L1B visa the foreign worker can work in the US for up to 5 years.

If you have any questions about the L1B visa, or if you need help getting your L1B visa, please feel free to email me directly at  [email protected] . I’m very responsive to emails and would be happy to assist you.

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Michael Ashoori, Esq.

U.s. immigration lawyer.

I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.

Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped hundreds of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.

Got a question?  Send me an email.

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L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge

The L-1B nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer a professional employee with specialized knowledge relating to the organization’s interests from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company that does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee to the United States to help establish one. The employer must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker  with fee, on behalf of the employee.

To qualify for L-1 classification in this category, the employer must:

• Have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, collectively referred to as qualifying organizations); and
• Currently be, or will be, doing business as an employer in the United States and in at least one other country directly or through a qualifying organization for the duration of the beneficiary’s stay in the United States as an L-1. While the business must be viable, there is no requirement that it be engaged in international trade.

Doing business means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and/or services by a qualifying organization and does not include the mere presence of an agent or office of the qualifying organization in the United States and abroad.

To qualify, the named employee must also:

• Generally have been working for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding his or her admission to the United States; and
• Be seeking to enter the United States to provide services in a specialized knowledge capacity to a branch of the same employer or one of its qualifying organizations.

Specialized knowledge means either special knowledge possessed by an individual of the petitioning organization’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization’s processes and procedures (See 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(D)).

The L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2004 applies to all petitions filed on or after June 6, 2005, and is directed particularly to those filed on behalf of L-1B employees who will be stationed primarily at the worksite of an of an employer other than the petitioning employer or its affiliate, subsidiary, or parent. In order for the employee to qualify for L-1B classification in this situation, the petitioning employer must show that:

• The employee will not be principally controlled or supervised by such an unaffiliated employer; and
• The work being provided by the employee is not considered to be labor for hire by such an unaffiliated employer.

See INA 214(c)(2)(F) and Chapter 32.3(c) of the USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual, available in the " Laws " section of the website.

For foreign employers seeking to send an employee with specialized knowledge to the United States to be employed in a qualifying new office, the employer must show that:

• The employer has secured sufficient physical premises to house the new office ; and
• The employer has the financial ability to compensate the employee and begin doing business in the United States.

See 8 CFR 214.2(l)(3)(vi) for details.

Qualified employees entering the United States to establish a new office will be allowed a maximum initial stay of one year. All other qualified employees will be allowed a maximum initial stay of three years. For all L-1B employees, requests for extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to an additional two years, until the employee has reached the maximum limit of five years.

The transferring employee may be accompanied or followed by their spouse and unmarried children who are under 21 years of age. Spouses and children may seek admission in the L-2 nonimmigrant classification and, if approved, generally will be granted the same period of stay as the employee.

If these family members are already in the United States and seeking change of status to or extension of stay in the L-2 classification, they may apply collectively, with fee, using  Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Status .

Spouses of L-1 workers in valid L-2S nonimmigrant status are considered employment authorized incident to status. DHS-issued evidence of such employment authorization that is acceptable for completion of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, include:

• An unexpired Form I-94 with a notation reflecting L-2S nonimmigrant status. As of Jan. 30, 2022, USCIS and CBP began issuing Forms I-94 with a new admission code for spouses of L-1 workers: L-2S. An unexpired Form I-94 reflecting this new code is acceptable as evidence of employment authorization for L spouses under List C of Form I-9.
• An unexpired Form I-94 with a notation reflecting L-2 nonimmigrant status, presented together with a notice from USCIS regarding the new admission code. USCIS will send L spouses with a Form I-94 issued by USCIS before Jan. 30, 2022, that was notated with L-2 nonimmigrant status, a notice regarding the new admission code that, together with an unexpired Form I-94 reflecting L-2 nonimmigrant status, serves as evidence of employment authorization for such spouses under List C of Form I-9. For more information, see this web alert .
• An unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD). L spouses are not required to request employment authorization by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, but may still file Form I-765, with fee, in order to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766 or EAD). EADs are acceptable evidence of both identity and employment authorization  under List A of Form I-9.
• A facially expired EAD with additional documentation to show the EAD is automatically extended (as discussed below).

Certain L nonimmigrant spouses qualify for the automatic extension  of their existing Form I-766 EADs if they meet the following conditions:

• They timely and properly filed a renewal Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, based on the same L nonimmigrant status; and
• They have an unexpired Form I-94 showing their status as an L-2 or L-2S nonimmigrant.

Normally, DHS regulations provide for an automatic extension period of up to 180 days from the expiration date stated on the EAD. In May 2022, DHS published a  temporary final rule  creating 8 CFR 274.13(d)(5), temporarily increasing the automatic extension period to up to 540 days.  The increased automatic extension period under 8 CFR 274a.13(d)(5) was available to eligible renewal applicants who had a timely and properly filed EAD renewal application pending during the approximately 18-month period beginning May 4, 2022, and ending on Oct. 26, 2023. Increased automatic extensions under that May 2022 temporary final rule remain valid until their renewal application is approved or denied, or the up to 540-day period expires (counted from the expiration date of the employment authorization and/or their EAD), or the end date of the L-2/L-2S nonimmigrant status, whichever is earlier.

On April 8, 2024, DHS published a second temporary final rule  temporarily increasing the automatic extension period to a total of up to 540 days for eligible renewal applicants. This second temporary final rule created 8 CFR 274.13(d)(6), which increases the automatic extension period to up to 540 days for renewal applicants eligible to receive an automatic extension who timely and properly filed an EAD renewal application on or after Oct. 27, 2023 and on or before Sept. 30, 2025, and whose applications are pending during the 18-month  period beginning April 8, 2024, and ending Sept. 30, 2025.

The automatic EAD extension under either temporary final rule will therefore continue until whichever comes first:

• The end date on the dependent spouse’s Form I-94 showing valid L-2 or L-2S nonimmigrant status, as applicable;
• The date we approve or deny their application to renew the previous EAD; or
• 540 days from the “Card Expires” date on the front of the previous EAD.

Additional information on the temporary increase of the automatic extension period is available on the  Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension  page.

Eligible L spouses may present the following evidence of the automatic EAD extension to employers for Form I-9 purposes:

• Form I-94 indicating the unexpired L-2 or L-2S nonimmigrant status;
• Form I-797C showing a timely-filed EAD renewal application for Form I-765 and stating “Class requested” as “(a)(18)”; and
• The facially expired EAD issued under the same category, Category A18.

From April 30, 2018, to April 30, 2020, the California Service Center and the CBP Blaine, Washington, port of entry (POE) are participating in a joint agency pilot program for Canadian citizens seeking L-1 nonimmigrant status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). For additional information, please visit the Form I-129/I-129S Pilot Program for Canadian L-1 Nonimmigrants .

Certain organizations may establish the required intracompany relationship in advance of filing individual L-1 petitions by filing a blanket petition. Eligibility for blanket L certification may be established if:

• The petitioner and each of the qualifying organizations are engaged in commercial trade or services;
• The petitioner has an office in the United States which has been doing business for one year or more;
• The petitioner has three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates; and
• Have obtained at least 10 L-1 approvals during the previous 12-month period;
• Have U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates with combined annual sales of at least $25 million; or
• Have a U.S. work force of at least 1,000 employees.

The approval of a blanket L petition does not guarantee that an employee will be granted L-1B classification. It does, however, provide the employer with the flexibility to transfer eligible employees to the United States without having to file an individual petition with USCIS. In order to qualify under the blanket petitioning process, the employee having specialized knowledge must also be a professional. See 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(E).

Where an L-1 visa is required

In most cases, once the blanket petition has been approved, the employer need only complete a Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition , and send it to the employee along with a copy of the blanket petition Approval Notice and other required evidence, so that the employee may present it to a U.S. consular officer in connection with an application for an L-1 visa.

Canadians with an approved blanket petition seeking L-1 classification

Canadian citizens, who are exempt from the L-1 visa requirement, may present the completed Form I-129S and supporting documentation to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at certain POEs on the United States-Canada land border or at a United States pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station in Canada, in connection with an application for admission to the United States in L-1 status.

Please refer to CBP’s website  for additional information and/or requirements for applying for admission into the United States.

Optional filing of Form I-129S with USCIS

If the prospective L-1 employee is visa-exempt, the employer may file the Form I-129S and supporting documentation with the USCIS Service Center that approved the blanket petition, instead of submitting the form and supporting documentation directly with CBP.

See 8 CFR 214.2(l)(4) and 8 CFR 214.2(l)(5) for more details regarding blanket petitions.

• Filing Multiple L-1 Intracompany Transferee Petitions Related to the Same Project
• Frequently Asked Questions about Part 6 of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
• VIBE Program
• Work Authorization

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Buffalo: (716) 970-4007  |  Toronto: (866) 697-1832

L1B Visa Requirements: What is Specialized Knowledge?

The L1B visa is a valuable asset for U.S. employers aiming to transfer employees with “Specialized Knowledge” from affiliated foreign offices. A thorough grasp of the L1B visa requirements is essential to guaranteeing your employee’s eligibility for this classification.

Key L1B Visa Criteria

• The employee must be engaged in a specialized knowledge capacity within the U.S.
• Possession of prior education, training, and employment qualifies them for the intended services in the U.S.
• A minimum of one year of full-time employment abroad within three years before the visa application, holding a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position.

Defining “Specialized Knowledge”

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) defines “Specialized Knowledge” as a unique understanding of various aspects of the petitioning organization, such as its product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or international market applications. This may also include advanced expertise in the organization’s processes and procedures.

Proving “Special” and “Advanced” Knowledge

• “Special” knowledge pertains to unique insights specific to the petitioning organization, setting it apart from general industry knowledge.
• “Advanced” knowledge involves an understanding uncommon in the industry, showcasing significant development or complexity compared to industry standards.

Evidence for L1B Visa Application

Proving specialized knowledge demands meticulous documentation. Key pieces of evidence include:

• Training records, pay documentation, or other personnel records.
• Organizational charts outlining the employee’s position.
• Letters from foreign entity representatives describing the employee’s specialized knowledge duties abroad.
• Comparative evidence showcasing the employee’s knowledge against industry standards.

The significance of providing comprehensive evidence, such as prior education, training, and employment records, cannot be overstated. This evidence supports claims of specialized knowledge and strengthens your employee’s L1B visa application.

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Table of Contents

What is l1b visa.

The most basic definition of the L1B Visa is that it is a non-immigrant visa for people who want to work in the United States and perform professional tasks. The L1B Visa allows foreign nationals to enter the United States as expert knowledge employees for their employers in the U.S. As a result, being a specialized knowledge specialist is an essential requirement for the L1B.

The L1B Visa is also known as the intracompany transferee visa. L1B Visa provides a way for foreign companies to shift some of their employees to set up work in the United States on the company’s behalf. For example, suppose a foreign firm does not already have a patent office in the United States. The L1B Visa might allow it to set up a subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office. The L1B visa allows the foreign company to send an employee to establish a new office in the United States.

The company’s employer submits the employee’s petition. In addition, they are required to submit the professional credentials of the worker, proving that the employee is experienced in their industry and will be employed in the United States division of the firm.

L1B Visa : The L1B visa is for foreign workers who will work as highly skilled knowledge professionals in the United States.

L1A Visa : The L1A visa is for foreign professionals working in the United States as managers or executives.

L1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge

L1B visa allows foreign non-immigrant employees for intracompany transferees with specialized knowledge, per the  USCIS requirement .

In simple words, the company petitioning for an L-1B visa must prove that the applicant has unique knowledge about the international market needed to help the company in its business interests in the United States.

• The employer’s interest
• You must be essential to the program’s or company’s growth.
• Your company’s expansion into foreign markets
• Expertise in your company’s process and procedures
• The employee’s unique understanding must relate to the organization’s interests and desire to relocate a foreign office to an affiliated office in the United States.

Besides, you must be a particular profession, such as a physician, lawyer, architect, teacher, and engineer.

The L-1B visa is for an intracompany transferee with specialized knowledge. You must have a deep understanding of your petitioning organization of the following things:

• Product description
• Research development
• Management of the company
• Technicalities of the work
• Any other interest

You must show a thorough understanding of their unique qualifications and experience in the field. Employee specialized knowledge is influenced by the company’s higher level of performance, demonstrating the distinction between employee specialist knowledge and other employees.

In other words, the knowledge must be relevant to opening a new company branch in the United States.

Eligibility Requirements for L1B Visa

Some criteria must meet both the employer and employee to qualify for an L1B visa; each category has its standards.

L1B Visa Requirements for Employees:

The employee must have worked for a qualifying company in one of the previous three years while overseas for at least a year.

To work for a branch of the same employer or qualifying organization(s) and provide specialized knowledge, you must be attempting to enter the United States to work for such a business.

L1-B Visa Requirements For Employers:

The foreign organization must have a qualifying relationship with the employer.

All parent companies, branches, affiliates, and subsidiaries are eligible to apply.

The company must be an American employer who plans on or is currently doing business in another country. The company must also be doing this directly or through a qualifying organization while the person with the L-1B visa is working in the United States. The employer’s job is not necessary to conduct international trade.

Doing business does not entail being present as an agent or office in the United States or abroad. To be considered a business, the employer must provide the service regularly, organize, and continuously.

Additional L1-B Requirements

Employer qualifications for setting up new u.s. offices.

Finding a new base or office to establish in the United States is one of the significant factors for both the employer and the employee. Suppose the employer is a petitioner who resides outside of the United States and wants to establish a new work location in the United States for one of their specialized knowledge experts. In that case, the employer must be in a position to prove the following:

• Obtained a location that could accommodate the new office and is prepared to pay for it
• The money is available to be spent on the employee and may now begin doing business in the United States.

L-1 Visa Reform Act

The L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2004, passed in June 2004, applies to all petitions submitted after June 6, 2005, and is mainly aimed at those filed on behalf of L-1B workers who will reside primarily at the work site of an employer other than the petitioning employer or its affiliate, subsidiary, or parent. The petitioning employer needs to prove:

• An employment relationship in which the employee is not controlled or supervised by an unconnected employer.
• Your job will not be considered labor for hire by an unconnected employer if you do it on your own.

Documents Required for L1B Visa

Every visa application process necessitates the submission of a number of documents to support one’s eligibility for that sort of visa.

• Form DS-160  completed Visa application
• Form DS-160 and L supplement copy
• Employer’s  Form I-797 , Notice of Action, which includes employee text
• Current and old passports(if any)
• Recent passport size photograph
• Interview appointment letter (original and photocopy)
• Bank records for the previous six months
• Referee details such as contact details of coworkers from previous jobs
• The receipt number of the  I-129 petition , along with a physical copy
• Visa issuance fee demand draft
• Work experience letters from previous employers
• Certificates of training undertaken, degree (original with photocopy)
• Stock records and certificates
• Lease and agreement of the business location
• Wire transfer or bank statement showing the original investment
• Audited accounting records
• Income tax return  Form 1120  (if any)
• Employer’s Quarterly Report  Form 941  (if any)
• Information on the company’s business
• Documents including contracts, bills of lading, letters of credit, invoices, and more.
• Bank statements
• Company letterhead
• Proof of legal practice such as a Business license
• Document establishing the corporation
• Three years’ worth of income tax returns from the IRS
• Audited accounting reports
• Number of employees in all organizational levels, as well as the position held by the incoming director
• Company brochure or product introduction
• Documents of business invoices (contracts, bills of lading, letters of credit)
• Bank statements and transaction script
• Note from the company, company logo, name, and address
• Payment statements
• Income tax records
• Organization charts that display your position in the company
• Other feedback from bosses, coworkers, and others
• Explanation of your managerial or executive role
• A letter from the foreign firm confirming the employment of a person who previously worked for that firm
• The transfer was confirmed in writing by the board or appointment papers proving the handover
• Documents that demonstrate the ability of the transferee to conduct business in an executive position, such as a resume.
• If you have special expertise, offer patent and trademark registrations for your business.

How to Apply for L1B Visa?

Before applying for an L1B visa, you must compile a comprehensive documentation file. Here are six steps as to how you can follow up on your L1B visa process:

Step 1: Get a Transfer Order

If your employer is a company with an affiliate or branch in the United States, he must provide an intracompany transfer offered in a specialized area of expertise. So,  you must have a transfer order . It might be a position in which you manage or direct other people. You can now begin the application procedure from this point forward.

Step 2: File I-129 Petition

The employer must submit the I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and L Classification Supplement. You must send the form to the direct filing address linked with the company’s location, which is usually different from the mailing address.

Step 3: Wait for the Approval of I-129

The employee should obtain the form I-129 receipt number after the employer completes and submits the I-129 petition and L supplement. This figure is on the I-129 petition that has been approved. Then, when the USCIS receives your application, you’ll get a receipt in the mail and an acceptance or denial.

Step 4: Submit Form DS-160

The next step is completing Form DS-160. Again, you can do this online. When completing the form, you must provide various information about your trip to the United States, among other things. The U.S. embassy will determine whether or not to approve your application on this form. You’ll receive a confirmation number and page after you submit the form. Save the number and the page because you’ll need them later.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

The next step is paying the $190 application fee. All applicants are required to pay this processing charge. Additionally, you may be charged extra costs depending on your home country’s tax laws or reciprocity rules with the U.S. However, you’re ready to go once you’ve paid all fees and have receipts to attach to your papers.

Step 6: Schedule an Interview

Schedule an interview with the U.S. embassy officials. It’s critical to schedule an appointment for the interview as soon as possible. That’s because, in most cases, embassies operate on a tight schedule. You’ll receive a visa interview appointment letter after booking an interview.

When you attend the visa interview, you must bring all the documents required for L1B Visa, as mentioned in the section above.

The interview is an essential aspect of the application procedure, and it will have a significant impact on the selection process. A USCIS official will interview you and ask you questions based on the document you’ve submitted.

The interview needs to go well. This suggests that your visa will be processed in the near future if it goes well. The government is looking to evaluate your intentions for visiting the United States to show that your claims are genuine and that you will be employed in the U.S. with a specified organization or branch.

To the passport issuing location or visa collection facility you specified when making your visa interview appointment, your passport will be sent by courier service.

Getting an Extension

The period you have permission to stay in the United States and continue working is determined by your visa. You’ll learn about this on your  Form I-94.  This is the form you must complete when entering the United States. If the date expires, your employer may request an extension. If the U.S. embassy grants the extension, you may remain in the United States longer.

How Much Does it Cost to Apply for an L1B Visa?

The L-1B visa cost for Form I-129 is:  $460

The processing fee you will need to pay: is  $190

Premium Processing costs:  $2,500.  The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guarantees to process within 15 calendar days

Petitioners who employ 50 U.S. employees:  $4,500 . More than half of those individuals have H-1B, L-1A, or L-1B non-immigrant status.

Employers looking to have Initial L-1 statuses or   permission to change employers, including new concurrent employment, are granted when an L-1 holding employee seeks a transfer to a new employer. They need to pay:  $500

Processing Time for L1B Visa

It may take  three to four months  for you to receive a response from USCIS regarding your request for an L1B Visa application.

However, if the employer files an individual petition, it may take longer to process than if the employer files a blanket petition.

Simultaneously, note that premium processing is also an option. That is to say, in exchange for a higher charge, the visa application may be completed within three weeks. In a case of an emergency, you can pay some extra amount to make things go faster.

Benefits of Holding an L1B Visa

Depending on your immigration status, the L-1 visa has several advantages that the others do not.

Low Requirements

Several work visas are available to foreign professionals who want to work in the United States. Unfortunately, many of them have stringent criteria that are hard to fulfill.

The O-1 visa requires applicants to demonstrate their outstanding talent through international honors or a large income. Canadians and Mexicans are the only ones who can apply for T.N. visas. A significant financial investment is required for the E-2 visa.

The L-1 visa, however, requires you to be a manager, executive, or specialized employee in a multinational company to be qualified. This paves the way for many people that are otherwise ineligible for other work visas.

No Job Offer Required

If you are a qualified L-1 visa applicant, you have already been employed by a company in the United States that will sponsor your application. Finding a company that will sponsor you for an H-1B, J-1, or T.N. visa may be one of the most challenging aspects of obtaining such a visa.

No Annual Limits

There are no restrictions on how many L-1 visas can be approved annually. This ensures that your petition will not be rejected due to a lack of available visas.

Period of Stay

Holders of an L-1A visa will be granted three years of admission to the United States. They can then apply for an extension until they have lived in the country for up to seven years.

There is also a five-year limit on the L-1B visa, which makes its duration of stay a disadvantage to other work visas.

Educational Requirements

One of the most significant advantages is that you don’t need a degree to qualify for an L-1 visa. At the same time, some other visas do not necessarily need an education. The O-1, E-2, TN, and J-1 visa classes are examples of this.

Spouses and Dependents Are Allowed to Work

If you are a resident of the United States on L-1 status, you may bring your spouse and children with you as L2 visa holders. They may also apply for an Employment Authorization Document if they qualify, allowing them to work in the United States. This is a fantastic L-1 benefit because it will enable your spouse and children to supplement their income if required.

Dual Intent

The L-1 visa is similar to other non-immigrant visas in that it is considered “dual intent” by the USCIS, allowing L-1 workers to apply for lawful permanent residence status while in the United States. In contrast, the G-1 visa permits participating in employment sponsored by an organization based abroad. In addition, it’s similar to other study visas like J-1 and T.N. classifications, which state that working for a foreign company would jeopardize your status and possibly result in penalties from USCIS.

Buy House and Get Mortgage

Getting an easy mortgage is another benefit of an L1B visa if you wish to buy a house in the United States. If you have the correct documentation and follow procedures correctly, you can easily manage to get a mortgage on an L-1B visa.

Note that it is also much easier for someone holding an L1B visa to get a mortgage loan than it is for other visa holders. The documentation required to apply for a loan depends on the sort and total amount of the loan you are requesting.

You must have the following to be eligible to apply for a mortgage loan on an L1B visa:

• You must have at least two years of job experience in the United States
• You must have a steady employment history in the United States and show two years of credit history.
• For identification and visa verification, you must have a passport.
• Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)
• Assets to secure the down payment for the loan.

HomeAbroad is a one-stop platform for all immigrants to buy houses and get mortgages. So, if anyone needs a mortgage or wants to buy a house in the USA on an L1B visa, then we can help.

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Transitioning for Adjustment of Status From an L-1B Visa to a Green Card

One of the main benefits of the L-1B visa is that it offers a path to permanent residency in the U.S., known as a Green Card.

You must first have your employer file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf To qualify for a Green Card. Once the petition is approved, you can apply for permanent residency.

Another benefit of the L-1B visa is that it allows you to explore other employment-based Green Cards while you are in the U.S. on your L-1B status. For example, find a job with another employer willing to sponsor you for a Green Card. You can begin applying for permanent residency without having to leave the country.

There are two green cards available through L1B Visa:

EB-2:  The EB-2 green card is available to individuals with exceptional talent or advanced education in their field. To be considered for the EB-2, you must hold a job that necessitates your outstanding ability or high degree. This implies finding a job that needs your superior ability or advanced degree to qualify for an E-B2 visa.

If you’re eligible for an E-B2 Green Card, you can ask USCIS to waive the requirement that an employer file a petition on your behalf through the  National Interest Waiver.  However, to do so, you’ll have to show how your exceptional talent or higher education is essential to the United States’ national interest.

EB-3:  The EB-3 is only available to professionals with:

• At least a bachelor’s degree
• Skilled workers (at least two years of training or work experience)
• Unskilled workers (unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training or work experience).

These programs are a common choice among L-1-B visa holders because they already have proof of their specialized expertise and can easily be classified as specialists or skilled workers.

Other green cards are available through L1B visa:

Other green cards are accessible, although they are generally more difficult to acquire as an L-1B visa holder.

EB-1:  the E-B1 Green Card is only available to individuals who have earned international honors, top-level researchers, managers, and executives.

EB-4:  There is also the E-B4 Green Card for religious workers and translators.

EB-5:  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has criteria for the EB-5 visa , which is available to individuals who invest significant cash up to approximately $900,000 or $1.8 million in a U.S.-based business venture.

Change of Status from L-1B to L-1A

An L1B visa holder can change their status from L1B to L1A if they want. There are several benefits to being an L1A, the most significant of which is that you may stay in the United States for up to seven years.

It should be noted that if you want to change your status from L1A to L1B, you must file a petition for changing your status to L1A before your current L1B visa expires.

• You are in charge of developing organizational policies and objectives and making day-to-day business decisions.
• Supervise the work of other workers in managerial positions and professional job titles at the firm or who have significant responsibilities in the firm’s subdivision.
• Have the authority to hire, fire, suggest raises and promotions, and other charges.
• You must be in command of aspects of your company’s operations. You’re the one who has to lay down the rules and objectives, as well as make critical judgments when executing any tasks.

While holding an L1B visa, you cannot change your employer because L1B is an employee-specific visa. Still, there are certain exceptions to the norm, allowing L1B workers to switch their status and go from one employer to another.

L-1B Validity Period of Stay

USCIS allows qualified L-1B visa candidates to initially stay in the United States for up to three years and, if approved, for an additional two years if the person wishes to extend them further. However, no further extensions are possible once the applicant has exceeded the five-year cap.

L-1B visa holders may live and work in the United States for one year to establish a new office in the United States.

You can ask your employer to file a request for a new L–1 visa on your behalf. In addition, there are several other non-immigrant work visas, such as the L-1A and H-1B visas, which have a more extended period of stay, making them excellent alternatives if you want to extend your stay in the United States.

If your visa expires and you wish to stay in the United States beyond the five-year limit, you can also file for a Change/Adjustment of Status before your stay period changes your status to another visa class.

Family Visa for L-1B Employees

The dependent L2 visa is available to the petitioning employee’s unmarried children under 21 and their spouse.

While in the United States, L2 visa holders may apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). The L2 visa is also issued for the same period as the L1B visa granted to the primary applicant. The employment authorization document allows the petitioner’s dependents to work legally in the United States. If the L2 dependents cannot work if the L1B visa has expired or is no longer valid, they will not be able to do so.

L1 Blanket Petitions

The blanket petition has been designed to assist large businesses in obtaining USCIS approval and transferring numerous people on L1 visas to the United States.

• The firm must be engaged in a commercial trade or service operation.
• Must have been in business for one or more years in the United States.
• The firm in another nation and its affiliates in the United States must have obtained 10 L1 approvals within the last year.
• To be considered for the headquarters designation, an entity must have more than 500 employees in the United States and conduct at least $25 million of business activity each year in the country where it is located.

In addition to the following two distinctions in the application procedure, all remaining phases are identical for all L1 visa applicants, whether they have a personal or blanket petition:

• The employer must file a Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition for an Alien Worker, with USCIS. After the application is approved, the employer receives Form I-797, which all transferees must use in their applications.
• The blanket petition is good for three years and may be renewed as needed. However, if the petition expires, the employer is not permitted to file a new blanket petition for three years.

PERM Labor Certification for L1B Visa Holders

There is one other option for visa holders seeking a green card. Such as an employer willing to sponsor their employee through PERM labor certification.

You may be eligible for an EB2 or an EB3 visa class if you are a foreign national who has earned a bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education in the United States.

The United States Department of Labor issues occupational licenses after receiving the required documents and forms. They must demonstrate that there are no more viable or qualified U.S. workers for the task through market testing or other methods.

Steps of this process include:

• Employers in the United States who are conducting job recruiting procedures, such as posting or advertising, should consider the following:
• They must be unable to locate a suitable U.S. workforce. 
• They must make you an offer for a full-time job.
• They must be able to reimburse (pay) you at the established prevailing wage for your services.

This method can be time-consuming, but qualifying under EB2 and EB3 may be appealing, especially if your country’s backlog in these categories is not lengthy.

If you are looking for a way to work in the United States, an L-1 visa may be a good option. This visa has many advantages over other visas, including staying in the country for an extended period and bringing your family with you. Additionally, if you have an L-1 visa, you can apply for permanent residency without leaving the United States.

What is the duration of an L1 visa?

If you have an L1A visa, you can work in the United States for up to 7 years. An L1B visa allows you to stay up to 5 years.

What is the difference between L1A and L1B visas?

L1B Visa : The L1B visa is for foreign workers who will work as highly skilled knowledge professionals in the United States. L1A Visa : The L1A visa is for foreign professionals working in the United States as managers or executives.

Can My L-1B Visa be Extended?

Yes, the employer can request an extension only once, and your L-1B visa’s validity period will be extended for another two years. Because of this, the maximum duration of this visa is five years.

What type of Questions Will do I Answer on the L-1B Visa Interview?

You will be asked questions about your workplace. How and why your specialized knowledge in your field contributes to the company. Try to avoid any incomplete facts; it’s best to respond to inquiries completely.

Is an L1B visa Eligible for a Green Card?

Yes, an L-1B visa allows you to explore employment-based Green Cards while you are in the U.S. The most popular sources available through L1B Visa for green cards are EB-2 and EB-3. You can also apply for a green card through EB-1, EB4, and EB-5.

Why are L1B Visas Getting Rejected?

There are four main reasons why your L1B may get rejected by the USCIS: Assessment of the specialized knowledge : If you fail to provide the proof of specialist knowledge, you claim it is both essential to the firm and unavailable in the United States. If this cannot be demonstrated, the USCIS will conclude that your visa application should be rejected. Submission of documents is incorrect:  If you make even a single mistake or error on your application, it may be refused. It can be an incorrect job title or wrong job description, sending the application to the wrong location, or using the incorrect delivery method. The difference in salary:  When the monthly wage for an L1 visa applicant is significantly greater or lesser than industry norms in the United States, this is generally why an l1 visa is refused. Lack of evidence:  If you don’t provide clear evidence that all claims regarding eligibility are more likely true than not, your application is likely to be rejected.

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How to Get an L-1B Visa Persons With Specialized Knowledge

An L-1B visa allows an employer to transfer an worker with specialized knowledge from an affiliated foreign office to the US. The L-1B worker with specialized knowledge must be employed by a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliated company abroad in order to qualify, and be coming to perform services that involve specialized knowledge.

A foreign company which does not yet have an office in the US may establish one and obtain an L-1B visa for the worker. In order to sponsor the worker for an L-1B visa, the employer must begin the process by submitting a  Form I-129  visa petition to the USCIS.

On November 12, 2021, USCIS issued a policy announcement to clarify that they will consider E and L spouses to be employment authorized based on their valid E or L nonimmigrant status.

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In order to submit a petition for an L-1B visa for a worker with specialized knowledge, the employer must:

• Have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company
• Currently be, or will be, doing business as an employer in the US and in at least one other country directly through a qualifying organization for the duration of the beneficiary’s stay in the US

The L1B worker with specialized knowledge must:

• Have been working for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the 3 years immediately preceding admission to the US, and
• Be seeking to enter the US to provide services requiring  specialized knowledge to the same employer or to an affiliated organization

“Specialized knowledge” means either knowledge possessed by an individual of the petitioning organization’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization’s processes and procedures.

Sponsoring a Person for an L-1B Visa

• Sufficient premises to house the new office have been secured;
• The business entity in the US is or will be a qualifying organization; and
• The employer has the financial ability to compensate the L1B worker with specialized knowledge and to begin doing business in the US.

L-1B classification will be allowed a maximum initial stay of one year and all other qualified employees a maximum stay of three years. A petitioner may apply for an extension of an individual L-1B petition using Form I-129 which may be granted for an additional 2 years of stay until the employee has reached the maximum limit of 5 years.

The spouse and children of an L-1B worker with specialized knowledge may apply for L-2 visas. The L-2 spouse may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Blanket L Petitions

Certain organizations may establish the required intracompany relationship in advance of filing individual L-1 petitions by filing a blanket petition.  Eligibility for blanket L certification may be established if:

• The petitioner and each of the qualifying organizations are engaged in commercial trade or services;
• The petitioner has an office in the United States which has been doing business for one year or more;
• The petitioner has three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates; and
• Have obtained at least 10 L-1 approvals during the previous 12-month period;
• Have U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates with combined annual sales of at least $25 million; or
• Have a U.S. work force of at least 1,000 employees.

The approval of a blanket L petition does not guarantee that an employee will be granted L-1B classification. It does, however, provide the employer with the flexibility to transfer eligible employees to the United States without having to file an individual petition with USCIS. In order to qualify under the blanket petitioning process, the employee having specialized knowledge must also be a professional.  See 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(E).

L-1B Visa – Additional Resources

• L-1 Visas: Intracompany Transferees
• Foreign Workers with “Specialized Knowledge” by Carl Shusterman– Recruiting Trends
• L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge (USCIS)
• State Department Plans Pilot for Domestic Visa Renewal (2-9-23)
• Policy Memo: L-1B Adjudications Policy (8-27-15) (USCIS)

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Immigration Attorney Carl Shusterman has 40+ years of experience. He served as an attorney for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from 1976 until 1982, when he entered private practice. He has testified as an expert witness before the US Senate Immigration Subcommittee. Carl was featured in SuperLawyers Magazine. Today, he serves as Of Counsel to JR Immigration Law Firm.

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Because visa officers are responsible for reviewing visa laws and determining whether applications qualify for visas, it’s important that your resume for a visa officer reflect specific examples demonstrating your ability to think on your feet. If you have team management skills, you should also note this. Strong visa officer candidates have leadership experience and are comfortable working with teams. Additionally, make sure you note your experience with document processing, as well as your ability to use a computer, analyze documents, and complete reports accurately.

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Summary Visa Officer processes applications for temporary, work and permanent visits to the United States. Reviews all visa laws, assesses whether applications have fulfilled all requirements and creates physical visa for successful applicants. Specializes in reviewing work visa applications.

• Computer skills
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Work Experience August 2006 to May 2008 Company Name – City, State Visa Officer

• Reviewed all visa applications and determined if they had satisfied all American requirements.
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L1b visa for specialized knowledge workers.

• February 25, 2024

L-1B visa for specialized knowledge transfers

If you’re an employee of a multinational firm and have specialized knowledge within that organisation, you may be able to transfer to a US branch or affiliate under the L-1B visa.

L-1 visa petitions are subject to high levels of scrutiny. The consular officer will be looking to determine whether you meet the L1B visa requirements, and qualify as a specialized worker.

Through your petition and interview , you will need to show why your knowledge and skills are critical in the circumstances, and why a US-resident worker could not perform the role instead.

If the application is not comprehensive or complete, you may be subject to a Request for Further Evidence , which will delay processing.

What is the L1B visa?

The L1 nonimmigrant classification, otherwise known as the intra-company transfer visa, enables a multinational employer to transfer a professional employee to an affiliated office in the United States.

The L1B visa is for professionals with specialized knowledge within their organisation, while the L1A category visa is for managers and executives.

The L1B visa will enable that employee to work for a parent, branch, affiliate or subsidiary of the same company in the US.

The L1B visa classification also enables a foreign company that does not yet have an affiliated US office, to send a specialized knowledge employee to the United States to help set one up.

L1B visa requirements

To be eligible for an L1B visa the following criteria must be satisfied:

• The company or organization that you work for must have a qualifying relationship with a parent company, branch, affiliate or subsidiary in the United States. Here, the US and non-US firm must have common majority ownership or common control by the same persons or entities.
• The US employer must meet the obligations of a qualifying organisation, namely the US employer must currently be doing business in the US or will be, and in at least one other country, for the duration of your stay as an L1B visa holder.
• You must have worked for the non-US company or organization for at least one continuous year in the past 3 years prior to the filing of the L1B visa petition.
• You must have maintained a position within the non-US company or organization that involved specialized knowledge about its products, procedures or methods.
• You must be coming to the US to continue to render services requiring that specialized knowledge, where you must have an offer to work in a similar capacity for a branch of the same company, organization or employer.

If you are being transferred to help establish a brand new affiliated US office, the company or organization that you work for must also demonstrate that premises to house the new office have been secured, and that it has the financial ability to both commence doing business in the US and to remunerate you.

What is L1B ‘specialized knowledge’?

The L1B visa is only intended for key personnel within a company or organisation, namely, those with ‘specialized knowledge’ relating to the organisation’s interests.

This is defined under the Code of Federal Regulations as:

“…special knowledge possessed by an individual of the petitioning organization’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization’s processes and procedures.”

As an L1B applicant, you must therefore possess extraordinary and inimitable knowledge or expertise over the organization’s products, services and/or its management, typically gained through years of experience, making you vital to the overall functioning and competitiveness of the business.

Knowledge that is widely held or related to common practices or techniques, and is readily available in the US job market, will not be regarded as ‘specialized’ for the purposes of the L1B visa classification.

How to apply for an L1B visa

The US employer, which functions as the L1B visa petitioner, must first file Form I-129, a petition for a nonimmigrant worker, on your behalf with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition will need to be approved by USCIS before you can apply for your L1B visa.

The petition must also be accompanied by the L-classification supplement to this form, together with the relevant fee.

Your US employer can file an individual petition, or a blanket petition using Form I-129S. A blanket petition can be used where several key personnel with specialized knowledge have been identified for transfer to the US, or it is believed that additional key personnel may be needed in the US in the next 3 years.

When USCIS approve the individual or blanket petition, the US employer gets a Form I-797 as proof.

You will then be required to submit Form DS-160 , an online form that is submitted to the Department of State. Having paid an additional fee, you must schedule an interview appointment with a US Embassy or Consulate.

Consular officers will use the information entered on the DS-160 to process your visa application and, together with a personal interview , determine your eligibility for an L1B visa.

At interview, you will be required to submit various documents in support of your L1B visa application, including but not limited to:

• Forms I-129 & I-797
• A letter from your U.S employer confirming your transfer and job description
• Proof that you have worked within that company or organisation for at least one year in the past 3 years.
• Proof of your specialized knowledge.

At the conclusion of your interview, the interviewing officer should inform you whether the L1B visa application has been approved, denied, or if further documentation is required.

If your visa application is approved and you are issued an L1B visa, your passport will be returned to you via courier service to the visa collection or passport location specified when making your visa interview appointment.

How long does an L1B visa application take?

Form I-129 should be filed by your prospective US employer at least 45 days before your intended start date, although it cannot be filed more than 6 months before your employment begins.

Once your petition is filed, the processing time can be anything up to 6 months. However, premium processing may be available for the L1B visa, whereby your employer can pay an additional fee to expedite the processing time to 15 days.

Once your petition is approved, you will need to go through consular processing and should visit the US Embassy or Consulate to which you are applying for their specific L1 visa processing times.

How long is an L1B visa valid for?

An L1B visa will be initially granted for 3 years, if you are a specialized employee transferring to an existing U.S office. If you are opening a new office in the US, the L1B visa will be granted for a period of 1 year.

Once granted the L1B visa can be renewed in increments of 2 years, extendable to a maximum period of 5 years.

L1B visa application costs

When applying for an L1B visa there are various fees that will be payable by your employer, including:

• Form DS 160 filing fee: $205
• Form I-129 filing fee: $1385 from April 1, 2024, or $695 for small employers with fewer than 25 full-time employees
• A fraud prevention and detection fee: $500
• Asylum Program fee: for applications filed on or after April 1, 2024, a one-off fee of $600 is payable by the US employer for each Form I-129 and I-140 they file. A reduced Asylum Program fee is charged to small employers (with fewer than 25 full time employees) of $300.
• Public law fee of USD $4500 for US employers with 50 or more employees where more than 50% of these staff have L1 visa status
• Optional fee of USD $2,805 for premium processing

The visa petitioning fee when submitting Form DS-160 is USD $190. You must pay this fee and any other applicable fees that are based on the country you are from and the US Embassy you are applying to, such as reciprocity fees.

L1B visa application pitfalls

The eligibility criteria for an L1B visa holder are strict. You should therefore expect high levels of scrutiny throughout the application process.

During your interview, you will be asked detailed questions regarding your place of work, your specialized knowledge and why your knowledge is so important to the company or organization that you work for. The consular officer will be looking to understand if the role could instead be performed by a US resident worker.

In particular, you must demonstrate advanced knowledge in your profession, and this knowledge must specifically relate to the business of the US employer that has filed the petition on your behalf.

It is best to answer questions as fully as possible to avoid any incomplete information, as this in itself can lead to your application being delayed or even denied.

NNU are experts in US immigration law and can guide you through the L1B application process and evidencing your specialized knowledge to satisfy the visa requirements. We also assist with L visa extension applications .

Contact us for advice from our specialist US immigration attorneys.

This article does not constitute direct legal advice and is for informational purposes only.

• Last updated February 25, 2024

By Nita Nicole Upadhye

Nita Nicole Upadhye is the Founder & Principal Attorney at NNU Immigration. A recognized leader in the field of US business immigration law, Nita successfully acts for corporations and professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, actors, and athletes from across the globe, providing expert guidance on all aspects of US visa and nationality applications, and talent mobility to the USA.

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The L-1B Visa – Specialized Knowledge Worker [2022]

The phrase “specialized knowledge” is not otherwise defined in the law, and there have been few administrative or judicial opinions interpreting it. this statutory definition has been called tautological, in that it states an alien will serve in a capacity involving specialized knowledge if the alien has special knowledge..

As the DHS/AAO noted, “the definition is less than clear, since it contains undefined, relativistic terms and elements of circular reasoning.” A decision by a District Court in Washington, D.C. was even more critical: “Simply put, specialized knowledge is a relative and empty idea which cannot have a plain meaning.”

Given the relative lack of statutory clarity or interpretative guidance, determinations as to specialized knowledge by necessity will often depend on the consular officer’s expertise in the context of the specific case’s circumstances.

Again, this has been noted by the AAO: “By deleting this element in the ultimate statutory definition and further emphasizing the relativistic aspects of “special knowledge,” Congress created a standard that requires USCIS to make a factual determination that can only be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the agency’s expertise and discretion.

Rather than a bright-line standard that would support a more rigid application of the law, Congress gave legacy INS a more flexible standard that requires adjudication based on the facts and circumstances of each individual case.

Despite the lack of simple, bright-line, legal criteria, there are factors which have been cited by INS/DHS sources as valid for making specialized knowledge determinations.

Post can use the following criteria to assist in making this adjudication:

The proprietary nature of the knowledge – While it is not strictly required that specialized knowledge involve knowledge of procedures or techniques proprietary to the petitioning company, the possession of significant proprietary knowledge can in itself meet the specialized knowledge requirement.

This is expressly stated in INA 214(c)(2), which makes reference to “special knowledge of the company product and its application in international markets” or “advanced level of knowledge of processes and procedures of the company.”

Legacy INS has in the past indicated that proprietary knowledge will meet the L requirement when it “would be difficult to impart to another without significant economic inconvenience.” This knowledge can be acquired through on-the-job training.

If everyone is specialized, then no one is – The legislative history indicates that the specialized knowledge requirement was intended for “key” personnel.

While it could be true in a small company that all experienced employees are “key,” for a larger company there should be a distinction between “key” and normal personnel.

This could be made based on length of experience, level of knowledge, or level of responsibility – e.g., the person has been made responsible for more complicated and/or sensitive projects. If a company is claiming that all the employees working on technical issues should be considered to have specialized knowledge, the company is probably employing too low a standard.

On the other hand, there is no legal basis to require any specific limit on the number of employees that can be considered key.

As indicated, for a small company, all employees with responsible positions may be key.

A large company can have a large number of key employees who would meet the specialized knowledge criteria, but there should be a distinction between those employees and ordinary skilled workers.

The concept of “more than ordinary” – The use in the INA of the terms “special” and “advanced”  implies that the employee has more skills or knowledge than the ordinary employee.

This does not require an “extraordinary” level of skills, merely more than that of the ordinary employee in the company or the field.

This could involve knowledge of special company projects or greater than normal experience and/or knowledge of software techniques.

Job shops – In addition to specialized knowledge criteria, the issue of job shops is important to the determination of ineligibility and is of apparent concern to Post.

Employer/employee relationship – L is a status for persons being transferred to work within a company structure and not for another company, and the issue of employer/employee relations has always been critical to the L adjudication. The INA flags the importance of this issue in INA 214(c)(2):

(F) An alien who will serve in a capacity involving specialized knowledge with respect to an employer for purposes of section 1101 (a)(15)(L) of this title and will be stationed primarily at the worksite of an employer other than the petitioning employer or its affiliate, subsidiary, or parent shall not be eligible for classification under section 1101 (a)(15)(L) of this title if-

(i) the alien will be controlled and supervised principally by such unaffiliated employer; or

(ii) the placement of the alien at the worksite of the unaffiliated employer is essentially an arrangement to provide labor for hire for the unaffiliated employer, rather than a placement in connection with the provision of a product or service for which specialized knowledge specific to the petitioning employer is necessary.

The INA restrictions on job shops reflect general legal definitions of the employer/employee relationship. Standards on making employer/employee determinations can also be found in the L FAM notes: 9 FAM 41.54 N8 EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP (CT:VISA-1569; 10-04-2010)

The essential element in determining the existence of an “employer-employee” relationship is the right of control; that is, the right of the employer to order and control the employee in the performance of his or her work.

Possession of the authority to engage or the authority to discharge is very strong evidence of the existence of an employer-employee relationship. 9 FAM 41.54 N8.1 Source of Remuneration and Benefits Not Controlling (CT:VISA-1569; 10-04-2010)

The source of the beneficiary’s salary and benefits while in the United States (i.e., whether the beneficiary will be paid by the U.S. or foreign affiliate of the petitioning company) is not controlling in determining eligibility for L status.

In addition, the employer-employee relationship encompasses a situation in which the beneficiary will not be paid directly by the petitioner, and such a beneficiary is not precluded from establishing eligibility for L classification. 9 FAM 41.54 N8.2 Employment in the United States Directly by Foreign Company Not Qualifying (CT:VISA-1569; 10-04-2010)

A beneficiary who will be employed in the United States directly by a foreign company and who will not be controlled in any way by (and thus, in fact, not have any employment relationship to) the foreign company’s office in the United States does not qualify as an intra-company transferee.

The issue of control by the sending employer is critical.

When the employment is off-site, there can be two ways of determining control, both indicated in the INA definition.

The employee can be directly controlled by a supervisor from the sending company.

The employee may also work off-site without direct supervision at that site, but in “connection with the provision of a product or service for which specialized knowledge specific to the petitioning employer is necessary.”

This could mean, for example, that the employee would be working for an off-site, unaffiliated company that has no IT department, and therefore the employee would be using specialized knowledge that only the petitioning company can oversee or evaluate.

It could also mean the employee is working on a proprietary project involving knowledge and skills specific to the petitioning employer and not possessed by the unaffiliated company.

On the other hand, an off-site employee working in the IT section of an unaffiliated company who is not under the direct supervision of the petitioner or working on a proprietary project involving knowledge and skills specific to the petitioner would probably not qualify for L status based on job shop concerns.

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L1 Visa: Intracompany Transferee

What is an l-1 visa.

An L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies to transfer certain employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office. The L-1 visa is designed to help companies that operate in multiple countries by allowing them to transfer key employees from their foreign offices to their U.S. offices for up to seven years.

The employee must have been employed with the foreign company for at least one year out of the last three years before the transfer. The employee must also have specialized knowledge or skills that are essential to the operation of the U.S. office.

The L-1 visa has two categories: L-1A for managers and executives, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge. The L-1A category allows for a maximum initial stay of three years, while the L-1B category allows for a maximum initial stay of five years.

The L-1 visa holder’s spouse and children under 21 years old are eligible to apply for L-2 visa, which allows them to accompany the L-1 visa holder to the U.S. and authorizes them to work in the U.S.

Eligibility of L-1 Visa

The L1 Visa offers various benefits to foreigners that are explained below:

• The L1 Visa holder can stay in the United States and work for his or her employer.
• The L1 Visa also offers an extension in the period of stay in the USA from 3 years to 7 years.
• The L1 Visa is a dual intent Visa which means you can work and live in the USA and have the intent to apply for permanent residence in the USA.
• The L1 Visa does not require a set wage that means you are not required to disclose how much the U.S. company is paying you.
• The L1 Visa holder can also apply for immigration of his or her spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 years.
• The L1 Visa is also eligible for Premium Processing . After applying for premium processing you will get a response from the USCIS within 15 days.

Unlike other Visa categories, there is no restriction on the number of L1 Visas that can be issued.

L1 Visa Requirements

The main requirements to apply for an L1 Visa are given below:

• There should be a strong collaboration between the foreign company (in which you are currently working) and the US Company (where you are willing to go for work). There should be one of the following relationships between the foreigner company and USA company: 1) Parent/Subsidiary, 2) Branch Office, 3) Affiliate
• The relationship or collaboration of both companies should remain the same throughout the time duration of employee’s stay in the USA.
• The second most important requirement for the foreign employee is that he or she must have been continuously employed full-time by the foreign company for at least 1 year within the last 3 years before filing the L1 petition.
• To qualify for L1 Visa , you must have been working as a manager, executive or a specialized knowledge worker in the foreigner company.

The issues that you can face regarding managers, executives and specialized knowledge employees are listed below:

• L-1A: Manager or Executive
• The employee must have been employed with the foreign company for at least one year out of the last three years before the transfer.
• The U.S. office must be a subsidiary, affiliate, or parent of the foreign company.
• The employee must have held a management or executive position with the foreign company.
• The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work in a similar management or executive position.
• L-1B: Specialized Knowledge
• The employee must possess specialized knowledge that is essential to the operation of the U.S. office.
• The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work in a similar position that requires the use of their specialized knowledge.

How to Apply for an L1 Visa

The process of applying for an L-1 visa can be complex and may require the assistance of an attorney who is experienced in immigration law. However, in general, the following steps may be involved in the application process:

• Obtain a job offer from a U.S. employer: The individual must first obtain a job offer from a U.S. employer who is related to the foreign company, either as a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office.
• Gather required documentation: The individual must provide all the required documents such as valid passport, completed and signed form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, a recent photograph, and other supporting documents that demonstrate the relationship between the U.S. and foreign company.
• File a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The U.S. employer must file a petition on behalf of the individual with the USCIS.
• Wait for the decision: After the petition is filed, the individual must wait for a decision on their application. The processing time will vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, the specific visa type, and the workload of the USCIS.
• Schedule an interview: If the petition is approved, the individual must schedule an interview at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.
• Pay the visa application fee: A non-refundable application fee must be paid at the time of the interview.
• Attend the interview: The individual must attend the scheduled interview at the consulate or embassy, where they will be required to present all required documents and answer any questions related to their application.

Required Documents

To get L1 Visa , your L1 petition plays an important role. The specific documents that are required to file a petition are listed below,  

• Copies of your passport
• Resume or CV
• A detailed job description
• A detailed description of your position in the foreign company
• General information for both the US company and the foreign company

Application Steps

Here is a simple and general breakdown of the process of applying for an L1 Visa .

• You should hire an immigration lawyer because the L1 Visa process is very complex. Your lawyer will do your work step by step and will walk you through it.
• Secondly, collect all required documents that will be identified by the immigration lawyer.
• Form I-129 and L-Supplement will be filed to qualify for L1 Visa .
• If you are not doing a Change of Status, then you will likely be applying for your L1 visa at the Consulate of your home country. You can apply for an L1 Visa when your I-129 form is approved. Required documents will be identified by the immigration lawyer.

L1 Visa Conversion to a Green Card

The L1 Visa is temporary and you cannot apply for the green card directly. To get a green card from an L1 Visa you have to apply for adjustment status to an immigrant visa abroad. It is not required to go abroad to apply for an immigrant visa abroad or adjustment status. The whole process is done in the United States.The L1 Visa is a great option for employees hoping to move from a foreign multinational company’s office to the US. L1 Visa holders can work and stay in the USA with their spouse and children. Most importantly, the employee can convert his or her L1 Visa to a green card by EB1C classification. A point to be noted is that currently, the L1 Visa is very complex and the USCIS has applied many restrictions on the petition for an L1 Visa . So it is suggested that to get L1 Visa , you should consult with immigration lawyers.

What is the L-1 Visa Interview Process?

The L-1 visa interview process is a mandatory step in the L-1 visa application process. The interview is conducted by a consular officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate where the employee is applying for the visa. The purpose of the interview is to verify the employee’s qualifications, to determine the legitimacy of the employer’s petition, and to ensure that the employee meets the requirements for an L-1 visa.

Here is a general overview of the L-1 visa interview process:

• The employee must schedule an appointment for the interview by following the instructions on the U.S. embassy or consulate’s website.
• The employee must gather all the required documents for the interview, including:
• A valid passport
• A copy of the approved L-1 visa petition ( Form I-129 )
• A copy of the employee’s resume or CV
• Evidence of the employee’s qualifications and specialized knowledge
• Evidence of the employer’s ability to pay the employee’s salary
• Evidence of the employee’s nonimmigrant intent (i.e., ties to their home country)
• The employee must attend the interview in person. The consular officer will verify the employee’s identity and review the employee’s documents. The consular officer may ask the employee questions about their qualifications, their job duties, and their intent to return to their home country after their stay in the U.S.
• After the interview, the consular officer will make a decision on the employee’s visa application. If the application is approved, the employee will receive the L-1 visa in their passport. If the application is denied, the employee will be given the reason for the denial and may be able to reapply.

What is the L-1 Visa Fee?

The L-1 visa fee includes a filing fee and a biometric services fee. The current fee for the L-1 visa is:

• Filing fee for Form I-129: $460
• Biometric services fee: $85

What is the L-1 Visa Processing Time?

The processing time for an L-1 visa will vary depending on the individual’s circumstances, the specific visa type and the workload of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Normally, the standard processing time for L-1 visa is around 3-5 months, however, it can be affected by factors such as the number of applications received, the completeness of the application, and the workload of the USCIS.

Additionally, the USCIS offers a premium processing service for an additional fee, which guarantees a 15-day processing time for the L-1 visa application. However, it’s important to note that the premium processing service is not always available, and the government can suspend it for certain periods of time.

L-1 Visa Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an L-1 visa? A: An L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows companies to transfer certain employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office. The L-1 visa is designed to help companies that operate in multiple countries by allowing them to transfer key employees from their foreign offices to their U.S. offices for up to seven years.
• Who is eligible for an L-1 visa? A: To be eligible for an L-1 visa, the employee must have been employed with the foreign company for at least one year out of the last three years before the transfer. The U.S. office must be a subsidiary, affiliate, or parent of the foreign company. The employee must possess specialized knowledge or skills that are essential to the operation of the U.S. office.
• How long does an L-1 visa last? A: An L-1 visa is typically valid for the duration of the job, up to a maximum of seven years. The L-1A category allows for a maximum initial stay of three years, while the L-1B category allows for a maximum initial stay of five years. After this period, the employee may apply for an extension.
• Can L-1 visa holders bring their families with them? A: Dependents (spouses and unmarried children under 21) of L-1 visa holders can apply for L-2 visa, which allows them to accompany the L-1 visa holder to the U.S. and authorizes them to work in the U.S.
• Can L-1 visa holders change jobs while in the U.S.? A: L-1 visa holders are not allowed to change jobs while in the U.S. without first obtaining permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Can L-1 visa holders apply for a green card? A: L-1 visa holders are eligible to apply for a green card while in the U.S. using the EB-1C category for multinational managers and executives.
• What are the requirements for an L-1 visa interview? A: The requirements for an L-1 visa interview include a valid passport, a copy of the approved L-1 visa petition (Form I-129), a copy of the employee’s resume or CV, evidence of the employee’s qualifications and specialized knowledge, evidence of the employer’s ability to pay the employee’s salary, and evidence of the employee’s nonimmigrant intent (i.e., ties to their home country).

Visa Consultant Resume Samples

The main job purpose of a Visa Consultant is to assist clients to travel from one country to another country with advice on legal and documentation to complete the process smoothly and also to increase the chances of visa approval. To complete this core task, the following tasks mentioned on the Visa Consultant Resume are carried out – keeping up-to-date with alterations to immigration laws, meeting with prospective and extant clients to gauge which service is required, providing clients with all pertinent documentation , assisting clients with the completion of paperwork, verifying the authenticity of paperwork, and supervising the completion of documentation .

To ensure success in this role, one should exhibit diligence, and complete all documentation work in time. The individual should be able to alert clients of foreseeable delays, and exhibit experience preferably in relocating individuals, and also have knowledge of animal relocation procedures. A degree in law or international relations is commonplace among job applicants.

• Resume Samples
• Visa Consultant

Visa Consultant Resume

Objective : An individual who enjoys working with people. I am interested in working with your company and using my customer service experience. Always ready and willing to work, I am able to handle multiple tasks and possess broad office skills as well as a willing disposition to learn.

Skills : Project Management, Software Development, Business Process.

Description :

• Scrutinised and adjudicated both window/in-person applications and mail-in applications; making sure all requirements for different VISA types are met, all applicant information are matching, all penalties and charges are applied, and client inquiries are answered.
• Collected payment from applicants; cash, money order, and credit card transactions.
• Manifested VISA applications for Window, Mail- in, and Third Party Clients (Travis registered Travel Agencies) for consulate review.
• Prepared VISA Runs to send to the Indian Consulate.
• Scanned client/applicant photos and signatures.
• Matched additional documents received by mail and/or by fax.
• Respond to applicant e-mail inquiries and phone inquiries.

Headline : Visa Consultant professional seeking longevity and upward mobility within a company that will allow me to utilise the skills that I have acquired through undergraduate studies and prior work experience, coordinate delivery of publications, constituent issues and outreach, provides supporting information for public records requests information, assist with translation if the candidate has applicable skills etc.

Skills : Customer Service, Marketing, Consultative Selling, Sales, Retail.

• Processed visa applications to India for 30 applicants a day.
• Helped applicants to fill up visa applications.
• Guided and described applicants about the whole procedure of the Indian visa process.
• Provided training to new visa consultants.
• Provided services to other different departments such as OCI (dual citizens) and passport renewal.
• Able to handle emergency cases/ conflict cases.
• Communicated with applicants through in person, phone calls and emails.

Summary : Visa Consultant with 8 years of experience in Developing and implementing an agency wide social media strategy, implement new and innovative social media tools as needed to enhance external message delivery. Assessing social media to ensure platforms are being utilised in the most effective way, may recommendations for new tools.

Skills : Graphic Design, Sales & Marketing, Multiple office.

• Closed manifest's to prepare passports and VISA for pick-ups.
• Handed out passports and VISA to the clients.
• Compiled all necessary background information for travel documentation.
• Worked closely with embassies including: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, & Russia.
• Facilitated client communication directly and with publicity departments.
• International multi-lingual written and oral correspondence.
• Responsible for expediting passport renewals.

Headline : Visa Consultant with 7 years of experience in Collaborating with program staff to evaluate, recommend, create, and ensure accuracy of communications tools. Disseminate, track, and edit communication tools on an as-needed basis. Consulting with agency/program staff to create more efficient communication systems over time. Recommending acceptance of new system developments, or enhancements to existing systems.

Skills : Customer Service, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel.

• Provided administrative and customer service support for clients traveling to India.
• Processed visa applications, both by mail and in person.
• Responded to client inquiries concerning the visa application process.
• Processed visa applications from third party vendors.
• Performed final quality checks on visas received from the Indian consulate, ensuring there were no errors.
• Prepared clients' applications for submission to the Indian consulate.
• Responsible for the arrangement of visas, timely submission and pick up of applications; regularly liaise with various consulates/embassies as appropriate, and arranged payment for visa procurement.

Headline : Visa Consultant with 6 years of experience in Editing and proofread and provide support for audience-specific copy and graphics for a variety of publications and media including press releases, industry articles, copy for agency publications, research projects, web and online media, radio and television public service announcement scripts, reports, general correspondence, and internal documents as assigned.

Skills : Teaching Chinese, Translation, Microsoft Office, Education, Customer Service.

• Responsible for processing visa applications: Tourist, Business, Minor, Entry and Research visas.
• Maintained files, distributed mails according to department, creating end-of-day reports, consulting client's one-on- one basis regarding visa process.
• Assisted clients in applying for different types of visas.
• Processed 60+ applications under high-pressure environment and ensuring they are error free.
• Responded to complaints that were sent to Consulate Managed the team as a leader.

Objective : Visa Consultant dedicated to hiring top-notch sales associates and assuring that store operations run smoothly. Organised and effective at encouraging staff cooperation and productivity. Focusing on maximising productivity and increasing customer base. I Believe that exceptional customer service is essential to retail success.

Skills : Excellent Mathematical . Customer Service , Organised And Dedicated. Computer Networking, C++, Word, Excel. Microsoft Office Suite. Multi-Lingual: Fluent In English, French, Arabic And Russian.

• Responded to clients phone calls and email inquiries for visa.
• Liaised with clients over the telephone, through written communication and in person, and ensure that all administration is completed, and resolve any problems.
• Collected of Fees through cash, credit/debit card.
• Tallied the number of applications taken for the day and handing over the fee amount to the head accountant at the end of the day.
• Served as the de facto office manager and am responsible for ordering office supplies, staff lunches, and writing checks to embassies.
• Provided support and creation of talking points for agency events that are used as external engagement opportunities including promotion and onsite photos and video.

Objective : Dedicated and focused Visa Consultant who excels at prioritising, completing multiple talks simultaneously and following through to achieve project goals. Answering a high volume of incoming calls while handling in-person inquiries from clients and colleagues. Flexible and hardworking with strong drive to succeed. Maintaining excellent written and oral communication skills, problem resolution abilities and high level of confidentiality. Equally effective sales management and advanced word processing support.

Skills : Management, Type 60 Wpm, Security, Customer Service, Cashier.

• Served as a client service provider at the front counter and telephone reception.
• Greeted clients, answer routine questions and provide information on matters pertaining to U.S. immigration regulations, University policies and procedures, BIO policies and procedures and community resources.
• Be familiar-ed with BIO informational handouts and campus and community resources for client referral.
• Reviewed incoming requests from clients for completeness and accuracy. 
• Distributed such requests to appropriate staff for processing. 
• Reviewed and performed data entry on requests to facilitate issuance and updating of student visa documents for degree-seeking and visiting summer students. 
• Distributed to adviser for processing.

Objective : Visa Consultant with 3 years of experience in Researching and gathering information and data to support agency priorities, commitments and mandates as assigned. Keeping accurate records to ensure information is dispersed to appropriate groups in timely manner. Supporting public records response.

Skills : Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, JSTOR, Lexis- Nexis.

• Refereed complex and urgent questions to an Adviser in BIO.
• Assisted in managing general office e-mail account.
• Responded to email inquiries on a wide range of matters of varying complexity including U.S. immigration regulations, University policies and procedures, BIO policies and procedures and community resources.
• Refereed e-mail as needed to appropriate staff member or campus source.
• Monitored inventory of office supplies and ensures timely replenishment of supplies.
• Assisted in maintaining reception area organised, handouts, work room and supply room organisation.
• Oversaw mailing processes including in-coming and out-going mail.

Objective : Visa Consultant is Experienced with digital organising using the Voter Activation Network (VAN), ThruTalk/ThruText, Hustle or similar platforms, Experienced using social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube), email communications, and the G-Suite of online tools to mobilize volunteers.

Skills : Planning, Consulting, Policy management.

• Participated in Staff meetings.
• Provided support for office operations, programs, and activities.
• Used discretion and maintain all confidentiality. 
• Experienced working with culturally diverse population. 
• Multi-tasked with demanding timeframes. 
• Worked in a fast pace, busy office. 
• Knowledged of and/or ability to learn UC Berkeley Campus Policies and Familiarity with Immigration laws.

Objective : Visa Consultant is Providing staff support for virtual and in-person PAC fundraising events, Coordinating with Chapter Communications Manager on direct mail and other outreach to build public awareness about our endorsed candidates, Tracking and reporting progress to manager and volunteer political committee.

Skills : Political Skills, Managing, Reporting.

• Coordinated directly with priority campaigns on get out the vote efforts.
• Ensured that our support of priority campaigns and the work of temporary organising staff and NC Sierra Club volunteers are aligned.
• Utilised the Voter Action Network (VAN) and peer-to-peer data tools to recruit and motivate Sierra Club members and supporters to volunteer and vote.
• Planed, coordinated, and ensured successful execution of text and phone banks, letter-writing campaigns, virtual or door-to-door canvassing and other GOTV activities each day.
• Provided skills training, coaching and ongoing support to volunteers.
• Ensured that benchmarks for volunteer recruitment, voter outreach and direct engagement are met.
• Organised community conversations about local environmental issues, voting processes and our endorsed candidates.

Table of Contents

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Complete Guide on how to write an Outstanding CV For O1 Visa Candidates

When applying for a job, the old English proverb- “The first impression is the last impression,” still holds true. As all the employers have when we apply for a job is our CV. So, if we nail it then we will easily receive interview calls from employers in the US, but if we fail to create an impression than we may face rejection after rejection, without never actually knowing why. This can be quite depressing, for all of us.

But how do we ever find out what’s wrong with our CV if we don’t even get called in for a job interview?

And, what is it that we are writing that is leading our potential employers into tossing them into the bin without even reading the whole thing?

To find out we spoke to several tech employers and a CV writing expert and here are a few things they had to say about how to write a stellar CV which is sure to grab attention:

Table of Contents

Things to Include in your CV

Contact details

The contact details should be current and updated so that the potential employer can easily get in touch with you. It is also important that you use your mobile or telephone number and email id.

A short profile of yourself

It is always important to look at the potential employer as your customer, so your profile should explain to them what they are investing in. If you are clear about the job role you are searching for this too can be included in the profile.

Work history with no unexplained gaps:

The CV should highlight your most important achievements and significant responsibilities in chronological order, and they should demonstrate the points you have put in your profile. You should highlight your most outstanding accomplishments and/or demonstrations of leadership. “tasks” or routine activities should be left out or kept to a minimum. An overabundance of these will make you look like an average player.

Education courses attended

Always highlight important qualifications. If you have certifications and have done courses relevant to the job you are applying to make sure to highlight them. Do not highlight Schools with dubious credentials

Include Professional memberships

It is important to highlight any professional membership that is related to the job, and not memberships instead of just adding all the professional memberships you have, choose ones that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. This shows that you are passionate about the job you are planning to apply for.

Explain all the Gaps

 Large employment gaps in the CV should not go ignored, especially if it is after the current position. If the gap in employment is caused due to education, then make sure to take note of it.

The Most Common Mistakes made by IT professionals and Software Engineers

Overloading the CV with a list of Responsibilities:

This is a very common mistake, although there isn’t anything wrong with writing your job role, adding everything you did/do that is expected from a person in that position does not help in highlighting why the employers should hire you.

However, if you have significant responsibilities which add to the picture of why you should be hired for example

– Responsible for a team of 15

– Responsible for a budget of $1M

Should be included in the CV

 Messy Format:

 Most Hiring managers tend not to take CV’s that look messy seriously and can consider the applicant to be plain lazy. So always avoid the following:

• Large chunks of text –Always avoid large unbroken paragraphs as they look daunting and make it difficult for the employer to navigate and find the information, they are looking for in the CV.
• Long sentences or points: Instead, keep your points and sharp by using plenty of bullet points.
• Improper categorization of information– Recruiters need to be able to navigate your CV quickly to find the details they are looking for. So, make it a point to divide your information well in the CV by using large bold headings to highlight sections to maintain a professional outlook of the CV.

Basic Spelling and Grammar Errors

Although this may seem obvious, studies show that over 50 percent of CVs sent to employers in the tech industry  have spelling and grammar  errors. Typos are deadly because many hiring managers tend to deduce that the candidate lacks detail-orientation, and a failure to care about quality. This usually leads to the candidate being rejected immediately.

To avoid such mistakes always proofread your CV and let a friend or colleague review it for you too.  Just running your CV through Spelling checks and apps like Grammarly won’t help as they will not be able to detect all the errors like those caused by homophones for example (right instead of write). 

  Here is a sample resume for an experienced software developer

If you have questions, contact us.

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Visa applicants must submit a completed DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application for all nonimmigrant visa categories, including applicants applying for K visas. ( Note:   For K visa cases in process at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to October 7, 2013, review the limited exceptions explained in the FAQs below.) 

Review the Frequently Asked Questions for instructions about using the DS-160.

Access the online DS-160 by clicking: Consular Electronic Application Center website .

Important Notice to Visa Applicants: After you have completed the DS-160, you must take these next steps below:

• Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)
• You must schedule a visa interview appointment.  (The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you.) Visit the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website where you will be interviewed for country-specific instructions.;
• Pay the visa application processing fee . Review country-specific instructions on the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  website.

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