
L-1 Visa Attorney
Our Law Firm Helps Clients Secure L1 Visas
At Pollak PLLC, our Dallas L1 visa attorney provides comprehensive, solutions-oriented immigration representation to businesses, organizations, and individuals. Our firm helps clients navigate through the immigration and visa process. If you have any questions about L1 intra company transfer visas, we are here to help. To set up a fully private consultation with a Dallas immigration lawyer, please contact us today.
An L-1 visa is granted to people who have worked outside of the U.S. as a manager, executive, or in a position involving specialized knowledge, and are now seeking to come to the U.S. to work in a related U.S. company in the same capacity. Many international companies use an L visa to transfer their executives, managers, or workers who are in a position that involves specialized knowledge to the U.S. L-1 visas are reserved for individuals employed by the company in question.
An Overview of L1 Visas (Intra Company Transferees)
The United States has specialized immigration regulations in place to allow qualified foreign employees to transfer to an American-based office of a multinational company. An L1 visa is a non-immigrant employment visa reserved for international workers preparing to relocate to the United States at a company that exists under the same corporate structure as their current employer. To be eligible for an L1 employment visa, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Work for a qualifying petitioning employer;
- Transfer to a U.S. based company that has a qualifying relationship with the current employer;
- Have completed a minimum of one year of employment abroad; and
- Intend to leave the U.S. at the end of the L1 visa term.
There are two broad categories of L1 visas. L-1A visas are designed to cover executives and other high-level managers. These visas are generally valid for a period of up to seven years. L-1B are for non-management employees who have some form of specialized knowledge or professional skills. An L-1B visa is valid for a maximum of five years.
There are a number of stipulations attached to acquiring an L-1 visa. These include:
- The worker is an executive, manager, or in a position involving specialized knowledge.
- The worker has been employed continuously for at least one year within three years preceding the time of the L visa application.
- The company outside the U.S. is related to the U.S. company in some form (parent company, branch, affiliate, subsidiary, etc.).
- The worker seeks to enter the U.S. temporarily.
- Workers will continue to work for the company as an executive, manager, or in a position involving specialized knowledge.
There are no specific salary requirements to attain an L-1 visa. Rather, the worker must simply prove to either act in an executive or managerial capacity.
A spouse and/or minor children of a L-1 beneficiary may be granted L-2 visa status. An L-2 visa beneficiary may become a student in the U.S. They also may work in the United States.
The L-1 Application Process
The application process for the L visa includes the sponsor and/or applicant filing a petition with the USCIS. That petition is Form I-129. The application process fluctuates but can take several months. However, the USCIS offers an option for premium processing. For a $1,225 fee, the USCIS will process the petition in 15 days or less. L-1 visas allow for dual intent as well. This means that applicants can pursue lawful permanent resident status during their stay.
What is the Difference Between a Regular L-1 Visa and a Blanket L-1 Visa?
Workers may obtain an L-1 visa in one of two ways. Either, they must submit a regular L-1 visa petition and have their case judged on its individual merit, or they can submit a blanket L-1 visa petition. Blanket petitions are granted to companies who have met certain qualifications regarding L-1 visas. In such an instance, the worker would simply file a copy of an approved blanket petition.
For a company to achieve blanket L-1 status, it must first:
- Be engaged in commercial trade or services.
- Have an office in the U.S. for a year or more.
- Have three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates.
However, the petitioning company must also meet one of the following criteria to gain blanket-petition status: the business must have obtained 10 L-1 visa approvals during the previous twelve-month period, have U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates that have a combined annual sales total exceeding $25 million, or it employs a U.S. workforce of more than 1,000 people.
A regular L-1 visa is for an employee who applies for a transfer within a multinational on an individual basis. For example, a single executive being transferred to a Dallas branch office from Germany would apply for a regular L-1 visa. Blanket L-1 visas are for groups of employees. Some qualifying employers may be eligible to roll their L-1 visa applications into a group in order to make the application process more efficient.
L-1 Visa Length of Stay
L-1 visas may either last for an initial maximum of one or three years, depending on whether the applicant is establishing a new office or moving into an existing one. The maximum extension limit on an L-1 visa is seven years –– though it is possible to switch from an L-1 visa to a green card.
How Texas Immigration Lawyer Karen-Lee Pollak Can Help
The L1 visa application process is complicated. As an immigrant herself and the former chair of the immigration practice at the Dallas office of one of the world’s largest law firms, our Managing Attorney Karen-Lee Pollak is here to help you navigate the process. Among other things, our Dallas immigration lawyer will:
- Listen to your story and answer questions about the L1 visa
- Gather all of the documents, records, and information you need to move forward
- Handle the L1 visa immigration paperwork and
- Take action to help you overcome potential obstacles to an L1 visa.
Call Our Dallas L1 Visa Attorney for Immediate Assistance
At Pollak PLLC, our Dallas L1 visa lawyer has the skills and experience to help you move through the immigration process. If you have any specific questions about L1 visas, we are here to help. Give us a call at (214) 307-5510 or use our online contact form for a strictly confidential consultation. From our Dallas law office, we provide immigration services throughout Texas.
Our managing attorney Karen-Lee Pollak and experienced support immigration team work with the sponsor and/or applicant to submit the most complete and thorough petition, which emphasizes the applicant’s education, qualifications, and experience. In addition, our support team knows the processes and procedures to work with various government agencies to ensure the best possible outcome.
Our firm provides full-service professional legal advice and representation to help you find an immigration solution to your visa needs. Please contact us to discuss your immigration options.
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At Pollak PLLC, our Texas L1 visa lawyer is standing by, ready to help you navigate the application process. Call us at (214) 307-5510 or contact us online for a fully confidential initial consultation. We provide immigration law services in Dallas and throughout the surrounding region. Our managing attorney, Karen-Lee Pollak and the experienced immigration support team, will work with you to determine the best possible employment preference category for you.
Testimonials
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"Prior to deciding to utilize the legal services of Karen-Lee Pollak, I interviewed 11 different lawyers in the Dallas area to understand who was the most knowledgeable of immigration and naturalization laws. I strongly felt Karen was the most capable and professional of the individuals I examined. Karen provided invaluable support along the path towards receiving my American citizenship, both legally and personally. If I had a question or concern, Karen was always available to listen and to give sound council. Rather than giving up, Karen believed in me and continued to file for appeals, even in the face of adversity. Without any hesitation, I strongly recommend to anybody, Karen Lee Pollak for their naturalization needs."
Alexander Toulbou
“It is without reservation that I provide this reference for Karen Pollak. Her integrity, attention to detail, creativity, competence, and personal service are unmatched by almost all immigration attorneys. I have personally observed her counsel and guide many institutions and individuals through employment visas, religious visas, green cards, and citizenship. I have also witnessed her work remedying potential disasters created by less skilled and conscientious immigration practitioners. You would be hard pressed to find a more competent and caring counselor for an immigration issue.”
Patrick K. Craine
“In 2005, I sought a H-1B visa for an experienced publishing executive in the UK I had identified as a key to my company's future growth. Our petition, submitted by another immigration attorney, did not pass muster and was denied. Discouraged, but still determined, I met with Ms. Pollak. Her confidence, command of the immigration process, and no-nonsense approach was refreshing. I am pleased to say our 2006 application was successful. We are now in the process of using Ms. Pollak to obtain my key employee’s green card.”
Victor Horne
"Our road with Pollak immigration and Karen Pollak started in about 2018 when we had some problems with issuing our green cards, and Karen Pollak managed to navigate a complex part of the immigration law that's not well known and successfully got our green cards for us. Anyway, a number of years later, we are now proud citizens of the United States, and my thanks to Karen Pollak and Pollak Immigration for the excellent years of work and service that they have provided my family and I, without which we would probably not have got to where we are today."
Andre Oosthuisen
"Our team needed help from Pollak Immigration attorneys with H1B visas, H1B transfers, and EB2 visas. Before we reached out to Pollak Immigration attorneys, we faced the immigration challenges of our employees under this particular classification being deported. The outcome of our cases has been successful, and it’s been really exciting to see how something like this can change an employee’s experience. I believe it is due to the thorough nature of Karen and her team, just clearly outlining the needs for these particular classifications to be approved. I would tell someone considering Pollak Immigration Attorneys not to hesitate with partnering with this team."
Carla Boudreaux Gonzales
"The specific need or the type of visa I needed was a permanent resident or green card. The first challenge I faced before I reached Karen Pollak was that I entered the US on a tourist visa. This was not the right way to do it because I was planning to spend a lot of time, so I tried to reach other lawyers, and I didn't like the way the interviews went. It seemed like we were another person or another customer from the many they had, and we didn't feel a personalized relationship, and honestly, we didn't think it was going to work. So a friend of ours recommended Karen, at Pollak Immigration and everything was perfect, everything ran very smoothly, and after we reached Karen, it was very clear, the steps we needed to take. The outcome, was incredible as today we have our permanent residence or the green card, and we are also recommending Karen to another friend and family that need to put in order their immigration."
Ricardo Garate
"I am a U.S. citizen, and my parents are from Mexico. They moved to the US to be able to get their green cards. It wasn’t until we found Karen and her team that we had an amazing experience. My parents were able to get their green card. I couldn’t be more thankful to Pollak Immigration and the entire team. It was such a pleasure working with you."
Pattryze Garate Solano
"I needed to convert our E2 visa to an L1 and L2 dependent visa. Our original L1 application was denied due to a lack of evidence submitted by another attorney. The first attorney completely botched our application. This is when I found Karen Pollak and her team. I was impressed by her track record and amazing reviews from her existing and past clients. Right from the beginning, Karen had a clear idea of how to help us and what was needed. We were approved. Since the original application, Karen has helped us renew our L1 and L2 visas and apply for green cards. My family and I are now green card holders. This was our dream come true. Karen's team is very responsive, and the way they communicate is unbelievably fast and professional. Karen Pollak is hands down the best immigration lawyer I have ever had the privilege to work with."
Magdalena McCleod
"Moving to the US can be a challenge. Karen certainly is on top of her game. She understood exactly what was required and assisted us in making sure that we had everything that was needed before she submitted the application. Everything went smoothly, and so far, we have been living in the U.S. for just over a year now. Thanks to Karen’s assistance."
Andrew Skelton
"I am a trial lawyer, and when immigration issues come up, I have always entrusted my good friend and very respected colleague Karen Pollak and Pollak Immigration. Karen has been incredibly responsive. Everybody likes her, and she seems to have solved every one of their problems. And I could not give a higher recommendation to Karen Pollak and Pollak Immigration."
Michael K. Hurst
Contact Our Experienced Dallas and Fort Lauderdale* Immigration Legal Team, Today
Pollak PLLC provides clients with full-service professional legal services to help you obtain a legal solution to your immigration visa needs.
Our firm focuses on providing personalized legal representation paired with timely communication for stellar results.
Contact us at (954) 250-8335 today to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
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