L-1 classification
The L-1 classification allows you to transfer employees your foreign company to your U.S. parent, affiliate, and subsidiary company. In this way, key employees may contribute executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge skills to the U.S. business, and you can ensure that their international operations are aligned in objectives and processes.
There are two types of L-1 classifications. Employees performing managerial or executive assignments in the U.S are in L-1A status, with a maximum validity period of seven years, for an initial petition of three years and two extensions of two years each. Employees performing specialized knowledge assignments hold L-1B status, with a maximum validity period of five years, for an initial petition of three years and one extension of two years.Transferees may recapture any time spent physically present outside the U.S. Limited exceptions exist to the maximum periods of authorized stay for employment that requires only an intermittent presence in the United States. Dependent spouses and minor children of L-1s obtain L-2 status, and L-2 spouses may obtain employment authorization.
