One of the things that people look for when planning to apply for a visa is the benefits it has. In some visas, you can bring a dependent of yours and your spouse to the United States to live and work there. And in the H-1B Visa, it is considered as ‘dual intent’ and anyone can apply just by having an educational degree.
Moreover, in this L1 Visa Guide, we will talk about the benefits that the L1 Visa can offer to its holders. This visa is usually the classification that employers require to its recruitment overseas due to the benefits it has. Without any further ado, let us start by identifying this visa.
What is an L1 Visa?
Before we proceed in enumerating the various benefits that this visa has, it is important for us to know first the basic information about it.
L1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa (temporary visa) that is bestowed to people under managerial positions or have specialized knowledge that would like to transfer to one of the branches that their company has in the United States. There are two types of L1 Visa that differs in some points such as:
- L-1A Visa is for people under an executive position of a company that would like to transfer to the United States.
- L-1B Visa is for people that have a specialized knowledge in a company that would like to transfer in the United States.
When transferring, the company or employer you are working for must have a branch of the enterprise or company inside the United States. It is imperative to know that this visa is for temporary workers only.
However, if you would like to extend the duration of your stay, you can always file a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS). And if you would also like to apply for a permanent residence, approach the nearest branch of USCIS to know more information.
Benefits of L1 Visa
Now that we know the difference of L1 Visa to the other classification of visas, let us proceed in enumerating the top benefits it has.
- Low Requirements
If you would look back to the details we have discussed from above, you would notice that you only need to have a managerial position or a specialized knowledge to be eligible for this visa. Unlike in other visas, it requires a specific capital or a certain educational degree to qualify.
There are also visas out there that require the applicant to showcase their exceptional ability by showing international awards and by having a substantial amount of salary. In comparison with L1 Visa, it has low requirements that anyone with the said qualification can apply. Also, you do not need any educational degree for you to qualify.
- Does Not Need Job Offer
L1 Visa is for intra company transfer that does not need any job offering for the applicant to apply. It is known as a visa that allows a certain company to transfer one of their employees under a specific position to one of the branches they have in the United States.
On the other hand, other visas require the applicant to have sponsors in the United States before you can acquire the visa.
- Stay Duration
Some visas are only valid for like 1 year. And the process of extending the period of stay is difficult especially when you have work to do. On the contrary, L1 Visa grants 3 years of stay in the United Stay as long as you are following the regulations given.
These regulations include that you need to stay in the position and work for the same employer that you filled in your L1 Visa application.
- Be With Your Spouse and Dependents
One of the great benefits of L1 Visa is that you can bring your spouse and dependents to the United States to live there. And if ever they are also qualified for the Employment Authorization Documents, it is possible that they can also work in the United States. It is a great benefit for your family as you can be with them and also make supplementary profits if needed.
Conclusion
L1 Visa is one of the easiest visas to have out of all the other visas we know. Although, managerial position in a company is difficult to earn, when you have it and are referred to work in one of the branches your enterprise has in the United States, it is worth it.