Transferring to the U.S. Through Your Job
Today many corporations and organizations have offices all over the world. U.S. companies may have operations overseas, and foreign companies may have U.S.-based offices. As a result, employees of all nationalities may find themselves being transferred far from home to offices around the world. If you are considering or anticipating a job transfer to the United States, it is important to first make sure that you meet the necessary visa application requirements.
L-1 Visas
The L-1 visa is reserved for employees who are being transferred to the U.S. for business reasons. It is a non-immigrant visa which allows an employee to move to the U.S. to complete work for his or her employer. The L-1 visa is especially useful for international employees because this type of visa is available year round.
Additionally, the spouses of employees may jointly file an application for an employment authorization document. This allows others to accompany their working spouses to the U.S. and obtain employment without restrictions.
L-1 Visa and Dual Intent
The L-1 visa has a unique provision that many employees and employers see as advantageous over other visas. While the L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, it allows an employee to apply with the dual intent to come to the U.S. as a non-immigrant and to apply for permanent residence. This means that any employee applying for an L-1 visa can’t be denied admission to the U.S. based solely on the fact that he or she may decide to apply for permanent residence.
This type of visa has many advantages for foreign employees seeking to move to the U.S. for work reasons, offering them a temporary stay in the U.S. with the possibility to apply for permanent residence. These unique provisions make the L-1 visa one of the most flexible types of U.S. visa available.
Contact Us
To learn more about working in the United States and obtaining the proper visa and paperwork, contact the Orange County immigration lawyers of Garg and Associates, P.C. today at 949-540-6704.
