The other work visa for US: How L-1 compares with H-1B, Pg17.

Key Highlights:

• The L-1 visa is used by multinational companies to transfer employees between their foreign and US offices.
• In FY2023, the US issued 76,671 L-1 visas, recovering from a pandemic low of 24,863 in FY2021.
• The L-1 visa does not have a quota, unlike the H-1B visa, but it requires the employee to have worked for the same company abroad for at least one year.
• L-1 visa holders can pursue a green card without affecting their visa status, and their spouses receive automatic work permits.

Detailed Insights:

• The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows multinational companies to transfer employees in executive, managerial (L-1A), or specialized knowledge (L-1B) roles to the US.
• To qualify for an L-1 visa, an employee must have worked for a qualifying organization abroad for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding their transfer.
• While there is no annual quota for L-1 visas, approvals are often scrutinized, particularly for specialized knowledge roles, leading to higher rejection rates compared to H-1B visas.
• L-1A visas are valid for a maximum of seven years, while L-1B visas are valid for a maximum of five years, and unlike H-1B holders, L-1 workers cannot extend their stay while waiting for a green card.
• The H-1B visa is designed for professionals in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree, with an annual cap of 85,000 new visas, and requires employers to pay the prevailing wage.
• Unlike the H-1B visa, the L-1 visa does not require employers to pay the prevailing wage, but it is limited to intra-company transfers, making it unsuitable as a direct substitute for most workers seeking employment in the US.
• Students in the US on an F-1 visa are not eligible for the L-1 visa because they have not worked abroad for a year with the same company.

Key Concepts Involved:

• H-1B Visa: A non-immigrant visa that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
• L-1 Visa: A non-immigrant visa that enables multinational companies to transfer foreign employees to their US offices.
• Green Card: A permanent resident card allowing foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States.