Helping international companies transfer executives, managers and specialized-knowledge employees to new and existing U.S. offices. Based in Houston and representing clients nationwide.
L-1 Visa Lawyer for Executives and International Companies
20+ Years
Handling L-1 visa cases
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L-1 Visa Attorney in Houston, Texas
At the Salinas Law Firm, we have helped many businesses and individuals successfully navigate the L-1 visa process. As an experienced L1a visa lawyer in Houston, our team understands what USCIS looks for in executive, managerial, and specialized-knowledge transfers, and we prepare each petition accordingly.
Whether you need an individual L-1A visa, an L-1B visa, or a blanket L visa for a company transferring multiple employees, we can walk you through the requirements and the evidence USCIS expects to see.
Not Sure Which L-1 Category Fits?
Executive and managerial roles fall under L-1A. Employees with specialized company knowledge fall under L-1B. If you're transferring several employees at once, a blanket L visa may be more efficient than separate filings.
TYPES OF L-1 VISAS
There are two different categories of this type of visa–the L-1A visa and the L-1B visa. The following is some information regarding each sub-category:
L-1A
This visa allows executives or managers working in the foreign office to come work in the U.S. office for a period of time. There are specific definitions for “executives” and “managers,” so simply giving an individual a certain title is not enough to make the person eligible for the visa. For example, an executive or manager must have the authority and discretion to make important and varied decisions about the business with little to no oversight.
L-1B
An L-1B visa allows employees of an international company who have specialized knowledge of the business and operations to transfer to the U.S. location for a set period of time. While no formal education requirements exist, the employee must play a key role in the company and must have advanced knowledge of the company’s products, processes, research, services, or management, among other things. Some types of employees who are often considered for L-1B visas include accountants, programmers, designers, and engineers.
Blanket L Visas
In addition to obtaining individual L-1 visas for certain employees, a business can transfer multiple employees from the foreign office to the U.S. office more efficiently by applying for and obtaining a “blanket” L visa. A blanket L visa petition allows a company to transfer both L-1A and L-1B employees without having to file separate petitions for each individual. The blanket L visa acts as a kind of pre-certification for the company to transfer these employees.
Speak with an experienced L-1 visa attorney about your company’s eligibility, documentation and transfer strategy.
What Are the L-1 Visa Requirements?
Employer Requirements
- Have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, collectively referred to as qualifying organizations);
- Currently, be, or will be, doing business as an employer in the United States and in at least one other country directly or through a qualifying organization for the duration of the beneficiary’s stay in the United States as an L-1. While the business must be viable, there is no requirement that it be engaged in international trade.
Employee Requirements
- Have worked full-time for the qualifying foreign company for at least one continuous year within the three years before the petition is filed.
- Be coming to the U.S. to work in an executive or managerial capacity (L-1A) or in a position requiring specialized knowledge (L-1B) for the same employer or a qualifying organization.
Blanket L Visa Eligibility
- Regularly engage in commercial trade or services;
- Have a United States location that has been operational for at least one year;
- Have at least three domestic or foreign subsidiaries, locations, or affiliates;
- Satisfy one of the following three requirements: 1) prove annual sales in the U.S. of at least $25 million; 2) have obtained a minimum of 10 L-1 visas for individuals in the past year; OR 3) employ at least 1,000 people at the U.S. locations.
New Offices
- The employer has secured sufficient physical premises to house the new office;
- The employee has been employed as an executive or manager for one continuous year in the three years preceding the filing of the petition.
- The intended U.S. office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of the approval of the petition.
What are the Benefits of the L-1 Visa?
- Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany you in L-2 status.
- L-2 spouses are authorized to work incident to their status. No separate work permit application is required.
- Children in L-2 status may attend U.S. schools, from pre-K through university. They are not authorized to work.
- L-2 status is tied to the L-1 holder's status and ends when the L-1 status ends.
- Possible path to permanent residence: Certain L-1A executives and managers may later qualify for permanent residence through the EB-1C multinational manager or executive category.
To get a better understanding of these benefits, it is recommended to speak with an L-1 visa lawyer in Houston.
L-1 Visa Application Process
Whether you want to apply for an L-1A, L-1B, or blanket L visa, the application process can be complex. You will have to submit a number of different documents in order to demonstrate the validity of the relationship between the U.S. company and the company located abroad.
Some documents that are often used as evidence of this relationship include:
- Proof of company ownership and incorporation;
- Permits or licenses issued by the local government;
- Leases, real estate titles or deeds, and other proof of ongoing business expenses;
- Proof of profits and losses, expenses, bank statements, corporate tax returns, and other financial documents;
- Proof of workforce and employment agreements;
- Letterhead and other marketing materials.
Depending on which country an employee is coming from, the L-1 visa will be granted for different lengths of time. L-1B visas are available for a maximum of five years, and L-1A visas are available for slightly longer, for a maximum of seven years. Extensions are sometimes available, as well, and are typically granted for up to two years. If you have not yet reached the maximum amount of time on your L-1 visa, our L1 visa lawyer in Houston can assist you in applying for an extension.
Speak with your L1 visa lawyer Houston to discuss the L-1 visa application process and the type of evidence required.
Launching a New U.S. Office?
New-office L-1A cases require more than forming an LLC and leasing space. The petition should present a credible hiring plan, organizational structure, financial projections and evidence that the U.S. operation will support a primarily executive or managerial role within one year.
Meet Your L-1 Visa Attorney
Alberto Salinas
Founding Attorney, Salinas Law Firm
Founding attorney Alberto Salinas has represented businesses and individuals in employment-based immigration matters, including L-1A, L-1B, and blanket L visa petitions, throughout Houston, across Texas, and nationwide.
Alberto Salinas personally oversees the legal strategy for each L-1 matter. We work with the company to document ownership, the qualifying corporate relationship, the employee’s duties abroad and in the United States, staffing structure, business operations and—when applicable—the new office’s first-year growth plan.
- Licensed Texas Attorney from the State Bar of Texas
- Immigration and Business Law
- Bilingual representation in English & Spanish
- Experience representing clients before USCIS and U.S. Consulates worldwide
Why You Need an L-1 Visa Attorney in Houston
The L-1 visa process involves detailed evidentiary requirements, and simply holding an executive title is not enough to qualify. Many issues can arise during the application process that are only apparent to a skilled L1 visa attorney in Houston.
Avoiding Application Pitfalls
We help you identify and overcome potential pitfalls in the L-1 petition process so your company and employees are positioned for approval.
Blanket L Visa Strategy
For companies transferring multiple employees, we evaluate whether a blanket L visa can streamline the process instead of filing separate petitions.
Extension & Renewal Support
If you have not yet reached the maximum time in L-1 status, we can assist with extensions, typically available for up to two additional years.
Family & Dependent Guidance
We help L-1 visa holders understand the L-2 visa benefits available to spouses and unmarried children under 21, including work authorization and dependent status.
Houston Office. Clients Worldwide.
L-1 petitions are filed with USCIS and processed at U.S. consulates abroad, so where your company is located doesn't limit who can represent you. We work with multinational companies and their executives remotely, by video, phone, and WhatsApp, in English and Spanish
- Consultations by video in English or Spanish
- Filings with USCIS nationwide
- Consular preparation at U.S. consulates worldwide
Explore Business Expansion Opportunities with the E-2 Visa
For international business owners considering expanding their operations in the U.S., the L-1 visa provides a pathway for transferring key employees. However, if you are looking to invest and actively manage a business in the U.S., the E-2 Investor Visa may be a more suitable option. The E-2 visa allows entrepreneurs from treaty countries to establish and operate a business with options for E-2 visa renewal and E-2 extension. To learn more about this investment-based visa, visit our E-2 Visa Lawyer page.
Trusted by Clients Across the U.S.
L-1 Visa FAQs
An L-1A visa is for executives and managers, while an L-1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, processes, or operations. Both require at least one year of employment abroad with the company in the three years before filing.
L-1 status is usually approved for up to three years initially (one year for a new office), with extensions of up to two years at a time. The total limit is seven years for L-1A and five years for L-1B.
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany you on L-2 visas. L-2 status allows children to attend U.S. schools and allows your spouse to apply for work authorization.
A blanket L visa allows a qualifying company to transfer multiple L-1A and L-1B employees without filing a separate petition for each individual. It functions as a form of pre-certification for the company.
No. USCIS looks at the actual authority, responsibilities, and scope of the role, not the job title. An employee must have real decision-making authority and typically supervise staff or manage a function of the business.
Common evidence includes proof of company ownership and incorporation, permits or licenses, leases or real estate documents, financial statements and tax returns, proof of workforce and employment agreements, and marketing materials showing an ongoing, active business.
Yes, but additional requirements apply. The employer must show it has secured adequate office space, the employee was employed as an executive or manager abroad for one continuous year in the prior three years, and the new office will support an executive or managerial role within one year.
An experienced attorney helps identify potential pitfalls before they become denials, assembles the right evidence for your specific role, and advises on whether an individual petition or a blanket L visa fits your company's needs.
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