An L-1 visa is a visa document used to enter the United States for the purpose of work in L-1 status. It is a non-immigrant visa, and is valid for a relatively short amount of time, from three months (for Iran nationals) to five years (India, Japan, Germany), based on a reciprocity schedule.

Can you work on a non immigrant visa?

If you wish to work in the United States for a temporary period you will require a nonimmigrant work visa. You cannot work on a visitor or business visa, or under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Unlike some countries, the United States government does not issue work visas for casual employment.

Is the L1 visa an immigrant visa or a non immigrant visa?

The United States L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows overseas companies to transfer employees under two types of L1 visa schemes. For L1 visa transfers of executives and managers including business owners for up to seven years there is the L1A visa, and for specialized knowledge employees the L1B visa allows entry for up to five years …

When to apply for An L-1A visa?

L-1A and L-1B visas may be issued when an employer files a petition to obtain authorization for qualified employees to be allowed to work and live in the United States. The L-1A visa is for intracompany transferees who work in managerial or executive positions in a company that is located outside the United States.

How long is the L1 visa for an executive?

The L1A visa for managers and executives is initially valid for a period of 3 years and can be extended for a total of 7 years. The L1B visa for people with specialized knowledge is initially valid for a period of 3 years and can be extended for a total of 5 years.

How to get an L1 visa for a small business?

For a very small business you may have difficulty showing that the business will remain trading outside the US while the L1 visa applicant is in the US. For very small businesses it may also be difficult to show that you have been an L1A Executive or Manager outside the US for one year in the last three years.