The L-1 visa allows a foreign employee to be transferred to the United States to continue working for the same employer, whether at a parent company, a branch office, a subsidiary, or an affiliate.

The L-1 visa is also available to business owners who have operated a company in their country of residence for at least one year and wish to open a branch office or subsidiary in the United States. Individuals may own a certain type of business in a foreign country and open a company in the United States that will engage in a different type of activity or product.

For a new company established in the United States, the L-1 visa is initially granted for one year, which can then be extended for two years. Most importantly, after just a few months, permanent permanent residence in the United States is obtained, allowing unrestricted entry and exit for life.

The L-1 visa also allows for the acquisition of an L-2 visa for the spouse and minor, unmarried children under 21 years of age. L-2 visa holders are permitted to legally work in the United States!

While the L-1 visa was originally created for large multinational companies to move personnel to the United States, it is now also issued to small or start-up companies abroad that have the ability and opportunity to expand their business and services in the United States.

The L-1 visa is not restricted to specific countries with which the United States may have certain commercial or other agreements. Therefore, applicants from any country are eligible for this visa, provided all eligibility requirements are met.

Dual Intent

Generally, applicants for non-immigrant visas are presumed “to be persons seeking to immigrate” and must therefore provide satisfactory evidence that they did not intend to immigrate to the United States prior to receiving the visa.

However, the L visa category allows for dual intent.

In other words, applicants are not required to maintain permanent residence abroad (in Russia) and are allowed to legally pursue permanent resident status in the United States (the status that a Green Card provides).

Many L-visa holders ultimately apply for a Green Card to permanently live and work in the United States. This may include applying for a permanent labor certification, if necessary, filing an I-140, etc.

Any of these actions will not be grounds for denial of entry into the United States on an L-1 visa.