The United States has a visa for foreign nationals who wish to expand their business to the United States, and this is a special type of United States work visa called an L1 visa. This visa is also available for foreign workers who are being transferred to the United States by their employer. 
However, like all United States work visas and work permits, the L1 visa comes with several strict eligibility requirements that must be met in order for the applicant to be approved.
Requirements for the L1 visa to expand your business to the United States
Applicants who wish to apply for an L-1 visa must meet several requirements. They include:
Requirement 1: Applicants must have worked outside the United States for their foreign company for at least one full year within the last three, and as a full time employee.
Requirement 2: The applicant needs to have worked for a qualifying organization outside of the United States in a specific position, such as a specialized knowledge position, as a manager or as an executive.
Requirement 3: The applicant must also be being transferred to a United States business that has a specific relationship with the foreign company, either as a subsidiary, branch or affiliate.
The foreign business that is transferring you must continue to be active outside of the United States while you are working in the United States, but it does not matter whether the business is a small, medium or large business – all can apply for an L1 visa.
Are you a foreign business who wishes to expand to the United States, or a foreign worker who is being transferred to the United States by their employer? We can help you expand your business or work in the United States. Give us a call!
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
