In order for a foreign national to work in the United States, they need to obtain a work visa. One of the most widely used and useful work visas is the L visa, which allows a temporary worker to come to the United States for an extended period of time.
What Is An L Visa?
This type of visa allows a foreign company to transfer certain employees to work for an affiliated U.S. company. It is a nonimmigrant visa that is temporary in nature. An L-1A visa is used to transfer a company’s executives and/or managers. An L-1B visa is used for individuals with specialized knowledge. An L-2 visa is used for family members of an L-1 visa holder.
Benefits Of The Visa
One benefit of anL visa is that the worker can stay in the United States for an extended period of time. The holder of the visa is allowed to work for the company in the United States for a set amount of time. Qualified employees are allowed an initial maximum stay of three years. They are then allowed two-year extensions up to a maximum stay of seven years.
Another benefit of the visa is that an L-1 visa holder’s spouse is granted a similar work visa called an L-2 visa. The holder of the L-2 visa is permitted to work or attend school while they are in the United States. The L-2 visa is good for as long as the duration of the L-1 visa. Children are also allowed to have an L-2 visa. However, they generally cannot work. Children with an L-2 visa can attend school in the United States.
A final benefit of the L visa is that it is a good stepping stone to permanent residency. It is a dual intent visa, meaning that you can obtain a nonimmigrant L visa even if you intend to later seek a green card. It is not considered fraud to seek permanent residency with this visa. Thus, if it is the ultimate goal of a foreign national to live permanently in the United States, they are allowed to make arrangements working towards this while holding a visa.
Contact An Experienced Visa Attorney
Applying for a work visa in the United States can be a complicated process, and you may want an experienced immigration attorney on your side. At Serving Immigrants, Inc., we have the experience and the knowledge to guide you through the application process. Contact us online or call us at (305) 907-6151 to schedule a strategy session.
Attorney Magdalena Cuprys is a seasoned immigration lawyer based in Orlando and Coral Gables, Florida. With three languages under her belt and years of legal experience working with immigrants of all kinds, she brings considerable experience and insight to the field and works hard to explain immigration concepts, empower future citizens, and keep current and prospective immigrants up to date on US immigration law.
Connect with her firm, Serving Immigrants, to stay updated on the latest developments in United States immigration law and gain valuable insights needed to navigate the challenging legal landscape of immigration in Florida.
Call Us Now To Get Your Case Reviewed (305) 907-6151