L-1A Visa New US Branch

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L1-A and L1-B Visas Introduction

Part 2 – L1A and L1B Main Requirements

Part 3 – L1-A and L-1B Manager Defined

Part 4 – L1-A and L1-B Executive Defined

Part 5 – L-1A and L-1B New US Branch

Part 6 – L-1A and L-1B Family Matters.

Welcome to the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram. We’re delighted to have you join us for part 5 in our video presentation on Intra-Company Transfers L-1A and L-1B Visas.  In this presentation we’re going discuss the requirements of opening a US branch. See how US Immigration defines an L1A parent, branch, subsidiary and affiliate here.

Establishing a Management or Executive Position For the New Office

When entering the US to start up a new branch, it is important to submit documentary evidence in the application to show that within the first 12 months an office will be set up that would support an L-1A management or executive position.  In other words, the office would have to be staffed by subordinates or hired contractors within 12 months.

Securing the US Office: Even though no visa would have been approved or even applied for at this stage, it is a requirement that the petitioner have already secured, typically, by way of lease, the physical premises needed for the new office. In these cases, it would certainly be wise to insert into the lease terms, that the petitioner be excused from the lease if the visa petition was denied.

Funding: The applicant will have to demonstrate to the satisfaction of USCIS that the home country has sufficient capital to fund the new US office.  We would need to include financial documentation about the foreign company to prove that the required funds are sufficient and available.

After the First Year: L-1A visas for new branches are typically issued for one year only, and thus as the first year comes to an end we’ll have to make a new application where we would be looking to demonstrate that the core goals of setting up the branch had been achieved. This new application would not only have to re-satisfy all the original conditions for the L-1A visa, but also that the beneficiary would qualify for the period ahead.

For example: –

1 Evidence that the US and the foreign company are still related to each other.

2. Evidence that the US branch has commenced trading.

3. A statement of the beneficiary’s duties completed during the first year.

4. A statement of the beneficiary’s proposed duties for the period of the extension

5. A statement of the staffing structure now in place. Positions filled.

6. A statement of the likely future staffing structure. Positions to be filled.

7. Proof of wages paid to-date to all staff mentioned.

In the next presentation, we’ll talk about blanket petitions, visa renewals and family issues to round out this presentation series.

Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram

US Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram
Chris M. Ingram LL.M., ESQ – Immigration Attorney
Admitted in New York.
Practice Specializing in US Immigration Law
401 Wilshire Boulevard, 12th Floor,
[Cross Streets 4th and Wilshire]
Santa Monica,
California 90401
Tel: 310 496 4292

Specializing in the E2 Visa, EB1 Green Card, L-1A Visa and O1 Visa and K1 Visa Marriage-Based Immigration. Attorney Chris M. Ingram is dedicated to providing the very best in US Immigration legal representation. Enjoy our website.

Important Notice: Please note that all videos created by the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram are intended as general information only and not specific legal advice pertaining your case. If you would like specific legal advice on any immigration matter please do not hesitate to contact this law office accordingly. All pictorial images used in these videos and the website in general are licensed stocked images and not portraits, or otherwise, of anyone from the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram, nor of its clients unless otherwise indicated by name. All images are used solely for illustrative purposes only. Copyright 2010-2015 All Rights Reserved.