Background
Our client, Hema, is an accomplished engineer specializing in substation protection and control systems. Her work revolved around updating and performing system studies to ensure that voltage systems were properly running. In simple terms, she is the person behind lighting plans and carrying out fault analysis to ensure that equipment is working properly. Hema was born in India, but she worked in Nepal for a branch of a U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing company. After some time, the company’s president wanted her to transfer to the United States for three years to serve as a Senior Substation Protection and Control Engineer.
VisaNation Case Strategy
The company came to us and gave us a rundown of Hema and her resume. We decided that the best approach here would be to proceed with an L-1B, Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge Visa.
Our team established that Hema met all the L-1B visa requirements. She had specialized knowledge of the company’s international markets, engineering processes, and operational procedures. The company’s core business focused on industrial engineering and construction management, with its Nepal branch responsible for engineering and manufacturing operations. They were primarily the ones responsible for handling all project deliveries to U.S. clients.
Hema’s transfer was essential for project continuity and for providing expert consulting services to clients across the United States. Her deep understanding of substation engineering systems was developed through extensive hands-on experience and training in Nepal. This made Hema uniquely qualified for the role. Training a U.S.-based employee to reach her level of expertise would have required significant time and more money.
It’s important to note that establishing the relationship between the two companies is not enough. It was evident that the U.S. entity maintained direct oversight and authority over the foreign office, but it was critical to explain the foreign entity’s importance. We emphasized that employees in the Nepal branch held unique institutional knowledge of the company’s workflows, design platforms, and project systems. This same level of expertise was not in the U.S. office. The specialized knowledge formed the foundation of the petition and justified Hema’s temporary transfer to the U.S.
Verdict
USCIS approved Hema’s L-1B petition in 15 days! There were no RFEs or any delays with the case.
