There are myriad advantages that L-1 visas have over other types of nonimmigrant visas. The following is just a selection of these advantages for both beneficiaries and petitioners:
- Benefits for the whole family: The beneficiary’s spouse and children under 21 can accompany the beneficiary in L-2 status
- The spouse can apply for employment authorization to work with any U.S. employer
- Children can attend U.S. public school
- Pathway to Green Card and “Dual Intent”: L-1 visa holder and their dependents may easily apply for lawful permanent residency (green card status) without endangering their L visa status
- L-1 visa status can act as a “stepping stone” towards attaining a green card
- Having L-1 status when applying for a green card in this way provides a much stronger case than if L-1 status had not been obtained
- Pathway to Green Card through L-1A is shorter and quicker compared to other avenues
- No need to undergo the lengthy and costly labor certification process in order to apply for a green card
- No need to file an LCA or meet a prevailing wage requirement (lower overhead for companies)
- Short processing time (Currently 1 month for regular processing and 15 days for premium processing, for an additional fee)
- Petitioning U.S. company can have no employees and no income upon L-1 filing if beneficiary comes to U.S. to open a new office (one year L-1 visa period)
- U.S. company does not need to be in the same industry as the foreign company.
- No statutory minimum requirement for capital contribution in the U.S. company
- Petition can be filed anytime (no quota limit issue)
- No statutory minimum requirement for age or educational background of the beneficiary