H1B vs L1 Comparison: Which Visa Is Better?

L1B visa allows foreign non-immigrant employees for intracompany transferees with specialized knowledge, per theUSCIS requirement. H-1B visa is one of the most common nonimmigrant visa categories for employing foreign workers. It is used by companies to hire foreign workers with specialized knowledge. Employees of an international company to be transferred to a related company in the U.S. in an executive or managerial capacity. For both the L1 and H1B visas, candidates can apply for permanent resident status in the US through a green card. If the visa holder would like to apply for a green card, the process varies depending on the visa type.
Just like there are different L-1 visas, there are also different Green Cards. Foreign workers qualified fоr L1 visas will bе granted еіthеr аn L1A оr L1B vіѕа. Form 3520-A is required to be filed by a US person if the US person owns a foreign trust. A foreign trust with a U.S. owner must file Form 3520-A in order for the U.S. owner to satisfy its annual information reporting requirements under section 6048. Documents required for change of status from H1B/L1 to F1 visa.
This means that the L1 visa holder will not have to wait for visa numbers to become available before applying Adjustment of Status and receiving a Green Card. On completing the maximum allowable period, the L-1 visa holder must leave the United States for minimum of one year and must work for foreign operation of the U.S. Full-time employment is not required to maintain L visa status, but the employee “must dedicate a significant portion of time on a regular and systematic basis” to the company while in the U.S. Even though the L-1 visa holder must be employed on a full-time basis with the company, the foreign worker does not necessarily have to be working in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Foreign workers are allowed to divide work between the U.S. and home country.
You cannot accept any other employment outside of the sponsoring employer without filing another L-1 petition. Please let us know immediately if any significant changes occur in your job during your period of employment for your sponsoring employer. This includes changes in work location, salary, and job duties. First of all, as with all visas, there is a temporariness requirement. Even though you can apply for a Green Card after you had your L1 visa for a year, you are not meant to enter the US in order to remain permanently .
This is a relatively broad classification as it can include specialized knowledge of a company’s machinery or operations, or if the individual has expert knowledge on a a company’s processes and organization. Today, transnational corporation commonly have numerous subsidiaries, affiliates, and branches throughout the world. Subsequently, companies may need to temporarily transfer a high-ranking or uniquely talented employee to an affiliate in another country to handle some specialized business. This rule usually excludes businesses that are too small to have international branches as well as small business owners. Make l1b visa requirements to speak with your immigration attorney to determine if your business qualifies for this visa.
For help on how to fill out the I-485, check out SimpleCitizen. With them, the I-485 process becomes faster, and much more user-friendly. The L-1 is a work visa that allows a U.S. employer to temporarily transfer an employee from one of its foreign offices, to one of its offices in the United States. Many times, businesses require employees to take part in international work.