L1 visa for relocation of managers and executives to the United States

Managers, business executives and specialized employees have a dedicated visa: the L1 intra company transfer visa

The L1 visa is issued for an initial period of three years and can then be renewed, and provides for the possibility of spouse relocation through the L2 visa.

The L1 visa is of the dual intent type and allows for the possibility of applying for a green card. 

Although the L1 visa is a "nonimmigrant" visa, the L1 visa is of the "dual intent" type and therefore allows to apply for a Green Card as soon as the visa is obtained. Remember that for "nonimmigrant" type visas there must be the presumption that the visa applicant wants to immigrate permanently to the United States. The applicant overcomes the presumption with the documentation submitted for the visa application and during the interview at the U.S. consulate in Rome.

The relocation for employment in the United States of America of managers, executives and specialized personnel is provided under the L-1A and L-1B visa types

Managers, executives, or specialized employees must have worked for at least one year during the past three years with the Italian company, holding a manager, executive, or product specialist position [visa L-1B], and must relocate to the United States to continue in the same position previously held. It is not necessary, however, for the U.S. company to engage in the same activity as the foreign company. Although this visa category is designed to transfer managers of large multinational companies to America, it also lends itself quite well to start-ups and small businesses that need to transfer their managers to the United States for a few years.

L1 visa - First Employee to start a branch office in the United States

If the U.S. branch or office has yet to be opened, there is the L1 - First Employee visa where the executive or manager of the Italian company travels to the U.S. to open the U.S. company, office or branch. In such cases, the L1 visa is issued for twelve months. Consistent business activity must then be demonstrated to get the visa renewed for three years.

It is possible to renew the visa for an additional three-year period, then visa extensions in this category will be exhausted. However, an executive or employee may have the option of later applying for another type of visa or have become eligible for permanent residency.

L1 - L2 visa application procedure and practice

The application for the L1 visa is made to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); approvals can be obtained in as little as 15 days through Premium Processing and the payment of additional fees for processing the application. Approval is then taken to the Embassy or Consulate of one's home country, which issues the visa after directly investigating the applicant's personal and professional history.