L1B Visa: Intra-Company Transferees Specialized Skills

What is L1B Visa

The L1B Visa is a U.S. non-immigrant visa that allows a U.S. employer to transfer an employee with specialized knowledge from an affiliated foreign office to a U.S. office. It also permits foreign companies to send specialized knowledge workers to the U.S. to help establish or support a new office.

L1B Visa Requirements

To qualify for an L1B Visa, the following conditions must be met:

• The employee must have worked for at least 1 continuous year within the past 3 years for a qualifying foreign company.

• The foreign company and the U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate).

• The role in the U.S. must require specialized knowledge, which means expertise in the company’s products, services, systems, proprietary processes, or procedures.

• The employer must demonstrate the need for this specialized knowledge in the U.S. operations.

L1B Visa Process

Here’s how the L1B visa process typically works:

1. The U.S. employer files Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) with USCIS on behalf of the employee.

2. Submit documentation showing the specialized knowledge and company relationship.

3. If USCIS approves the petition, the employee completes Form DS-160 and schedules an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

4. Attend the visa interview and present supporting documents.

5. Once approved, the L1B visa is issued, and the employee can travel to the U.S. for employment.

L1B Visa Processing Time

• USCIS Petition Processing: Typically 1 to 6 months, depending on the case and service center.

• Premium Processing (Optional): Guarantees a response within 15 calendar days.

• Consular Processing: Usually takes a few weeks after petition approval.

• Initial Duration: Up to 3 years (or 1 year for new U.S. offices), extendable to a maximum of 5 years total.