Background
The L-1A is a popular visa type designed for intracompany transferees who have a managerial or executive position in the company (including those who oversee the organization’s management). To qualify for an L-1A visa, the employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year out of the last three before the application was filed (in a managerial, executive, or other high-level capacity).
VisaNation Case Strategy
Our client, a Singapore national, sought to transfer to their company’s U.S. branch. He worked for a global intelligence powerhouse specializing in detecting cybersecurity breaches to enhance customer trust and safety. Expanding due to successful operations in three other countries, they had already hired three U.S.-based employees and aimed to capitalize on opportunities for business development and meet the growing demand from U.S. clients.
The U.S. company, fully owned by the foreign parent company, identified our client as the ideal Chief Product Officer to lead the U.S. operations. According to INA section 214( c)(2), our client qualified as an L-1 nonimmigrant, having been employed continuously for a year by the corporation and seeking entry to the U.S. in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.
For an L-1A manager position, you must:
- Manage a department, subdivision or component of the organization
- Supervise the work of other employees
- Have the authority to hire and fire/recommend individuals
- Exercises discretion over the day-to-day operations of the activity for which the employee has authority
Our client’s role involved strategic and managerial responsibilities crucial for the company’s overall growth. It was important to explain how our client’s position in the U.S. would contribute to bringing in additional revenue based on increased market share and new sales. We highlighted this impact on decision-making at the highest level and drew parallels between his managerial duties in Singapore and those required for the U.S. position, emphasizing his commitment to returning to the foreign subsidiary in Singapore.
Verdict
We are very pleased to say that within just 13 days, our client’s L-1A visa was approved without any issues! With the compelling case that we crafted, it was clear to us that the case would be approved in the end.
