Strategic L-1 Visa Guidance for Corporate Transfers
We help corporate leaders understand qualification requirements and prepare comprehensive documentation for establishing new U.S. office operations.
The Executive’s Catch-22: Establishing a U.S. Office
You’re ready to expand your company to the U.S., but you face a frustrating paradox…
You must establish a functioning office before applying, yet you cannot legally work there to set it up. Meanwhile, leases must be paid, deadlines approach, and your company’s expansion timeline slips further behind.
Expert Support for Executive L-1 Transfers
Our expertise helps bridge the gap between immigration requirements and business realities.
We work with you to develop strategies that satisfy L-1 documentation needs while allowing your company’s expansion to proceed effectively.
We don’t believe in shortcuts or templates. We believe in doing it right – the first time. That means telling your business story in a way a reviewing officer understands, showcasing your qualifications and your company’s global vision, and backing it all up with documentation that leaves no room for doubt.
If you’re serious about building or expanding your business presence in the U.S., our experience could be the competitive edge that sets your application apart.
How It Works
Our systematic approach helps navigate the complex intersection of corporate expansion and visa requirements.
Corporate Relationship Assessment
We study your company structure, executive role, and U.S. expansion plans to identify the strongest approach for your L-1 application.
Strategic Documentation Plan
We create a roadmap outlining the required evidence for a qualifying relationship, managerial capacity, and U.S. office establishment.
Two-Phase Application Guidance
We guide you through both USCIS petition preparation and subsequent consular processing to ensure thorough documentation at each stage.
Experience That Makes a Difference
for U.S. Business Expansion
When it comes to expanding your business into the United States, the L-1 visa is more than a legal process – it’s a strategic opportunity. But success depends on more than just filling out forms correctly. It requires a deep understanding of both immigration law and business operations. That’s where we come in.
Our L-1 clients benefit from:
- 15+ years of immigration law experience – we’ve guided clients through a wide range of cases with consistent results
- Personal perspective as an immigrant – having gone through the process ourselves, we understand the personal and professional impact of every immigration decision
- Careful, detail-oriented case preparation – we take the time to ensure each petition is accurate, complete, and well-documented to meet agency expectations
- Clear and practical communication – we explain the process in plain language, so you always know what to expect and feel confident moving forward
- Selective case acceptance for success – we only work with clients whose cases we believe in, so we can give each one the time and attention it deserves
What Clients Say About
Our L1 Visa Guidance
Executive experiences from leaders who've worked with us on L-1 applications.
Aga Asbury and her team handled my L-1A New Office visa petition for a CEO and later Permanent Residency (Green Card) applications for me and my family. When I opened an office in California, I was searching for an experienced immigration lawyer who would help me get settled in the States with the right type of visa. From the start, Aga was very professional and helpful in navigating the intricacies of immigration law and procedures. She asked a lot of questions to gather the necessary information, explained which visa option was best for my situation and what could be expected during the process, and handled everything in a way that made the whole process as easy as possible. I was so impressed with Aga’s work that I asked for her help again when it was time to file for Permanent Residency for me and my family.
I highly recommend Aga to anyone who is looking for a great immigration attorney who truly cares about the outcome of their case. Her customer service, dedication, expertise, and commitment to client satisfaction are unparalleled. I am so grateful for her assistance and will not hesitate to seek her services again in the future when it is time to file for U.S. citizenship.
Mat Jacobson
L-1 “New Office” and EB-1 Employment-based Green Card Client
Frequently Asked Questions
Can L-1 visa holders apply for green cards while maintaining L-1 status?
Yes! L-1A visa holders (managers or executives transferred from a foreign company to a U.S. office) have a clear and relatively smooth pathway to a green card through the EB-1C immigrant visa category. We specialize in these cases – contact us if you need help with your EB-1C application.
What is an L-1 Visa?
The L-1 visa is a powerful option for international companies that need to transfer employees to a U.S. office. It allows foreign businesses to send executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge to work in the United States – either at an existing office or to help establish a new one.
What types of L-1 visas are there?
There are two types of L-1 visas:
- L-1A Visa – For executives and managers. This is for individuals in leadership roles who are coming to oversee operations or manage teams in the U.S.,
- L-1B Visa – For employees with specialized knowledge about the company’s products, services, systems, or procedures.
Our company structure is complex with multiple international entities. Can this create problems for our L-1 petition?
Complex corporate structures require careful documentation, but aren’t obstacles with proper preparation. We may be able to help you demonstrate qualifying relationships even in sophisticated multinational organizations with multiple ownership layers.
What if we haven't hired any U.S. employees yet for our new office?
This is a common concern, and it requires strategic documentation. We may be able to help you demonstrate realistic hiring plans, financial capacity, and a clear timeline for staff development that satisfies USCIS requirements.
Our foreign company isn't large. Will this hurt our L-1 chances?
Company size isn’t determinative for L-1 eligibility. We focus on effectively documenting your executive or managerial role, regardless of company size, emphasizing functional management and strategic decision-making authority
What are the basic L-1 requirements?
To qualify, the employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the last three years and be transferring to a parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of that same company in the U.S.
Ready to Navigate Immigration with Confidence
Book a consultation to discuss your immigration situation. Together, we’ll explore the best approach for your circumstances.