
Can my spouse work if I have an L-1 visa?
The spouse of the holder of an L-1 visa may typically work. However, the spouse must first apply for work authorization. Application for Employment Authorization can be filed via Form I-765. If the work authorization is granted, the spouse does not typically face any restrictions on his or her place of employment.
Can L-1 dependent work in us without EAD?
USCIS agreed to issue policy guidance stating that L-2 spouses are authorized to work based on their status as L-2 nonimmigrants without the need to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD).
Can you work another job on a L-1 visa?
Q: As an L1 visa holder, can I work part time? A: No. You cannot work for other employers or on your own. You can't do other part-time jobs.
Which visa dependent can work?
The H-4 visa allows H-1B spouses and dependant children to join the H-1B visa holder in the US. Certain H-4 visa holders are permitted to work while in the US during their visa period, provided they have secured employment authorization.
Is L1 visa better than H-1B?
H1B has stringent requirements while L1 Visa is more suitable for multinationals and is less time consuming than H1B visas. Also, L-1 and H-1B have ˜dual intent in that visa holders in both categories can aim for green card while staying as a nonimmigrant in the United States.
What is the minimum salary for L1A visa?
Taxes you pay in the US as H1B or L1 Visa holder For example, If you make about $60,000 USD per year in the USA, which is $5000 per month (Gross Salary). For instance, if you live in a state like Wisconsin, your take-home Net Salary would be $3,600 per month ( approximate).
Can I convert L1A to H1B?
Can I change my L1 visa to H1b? Yes, you can change your L1 Visa status to an H1B status through the H1B lottery. Your employer needs to nominate and sponsor you for the status change.
When can L1A get green card?
If you are in the US on an L1 visa then you must apply within 2 years of entry to qualify for an EB1C Green Card. The requirements for employment based immigration (permanent residence) under the EB1C immigrant scheme are similar to the requirements for the L1A Executive and Manager visa category.
What are the benefits of L1 visa?
L-1 Visa Benefits for Foreign WorkersRelatively Low Requirements. ... No Job Offer Required. ... No Annual Limits. ... Period of Stay. ... Educational Requirements. ... Spouses and Dependents Can Work. ... Dual Intent. ... Blanket Petition.More items...
Can my wife work in US on dependent visa?
F-2 dependent (spouse) visa holders are not eligible for employment. An F-2 dependent who would desire to pursue any employment, paid or non-paid, in the U.S. would need to find an employer willing and able to sponsor them for an employment visa.
Is dependent allowed to work in USA?
U.S. visa regulations do not allow F-2 dependents to work in the United States. J-2 dependents are allowed to work in the United States with proper authorization. This authorization can be applied for once the J-2 has entered the country.
Who is eligible for dependent visa in USA?
Visiting Family Members Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years old) are eligible to enter the United States in a dependent status. Frequently, international students and scholars wish to invite their parents or other family members to the U.S. to attend graduation or for a visit.
Can dependent visa can work?
No, you cannot work with a dependent visa.
Can my wife work on H-4 visa?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would start issuing Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) to eligible H4 visa holders. Holders of such an H4 visa EAD can now legally work or start a business in the U.S. as long as their spouse's H1B visa is valid.
Can my wife work if I have H1B visa?
Spouses of H-1B visa holders can work or start a business in the US provided their spouse's H1B visa is valid. H-4 visa holders looking to take up paid employment must first apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) to allow them to work in the US.
What is difference between F-1 and j1 visa?
The F-1 visa is the most common visa used by international students at Princeton. Most students are eligible for an F-1 visa as long as they have been admitted to Princeton. The J-1 status is often used for students who are in a specific educational exchange program such as Fulbright.
How many L-1 visas are approved each year?
On the other hand, there are no limits to how many L-1 visas are approved each year. This means that your petition will not be rejected due to the fact that there are no more available visas.
How many employees can you have on an L-1?
revenue of at least $25 million or have a minimum of 1,000 employees working in the U.S. An L-1 blanket petition allows employers to file a single petition for multiple employees, ...
How long do you have to work for a multinational company?
If you are not currently employed with a multinational company that is large enough to have or plant an office in the U.S., then this could be a very difficult hurdle to surpass. This is especially true since you must work at that company for one full year in the three years that precede your entry into the U.S.
How long does it take to get an extension for an L-1 visa?
However, unfortunately, L-1 holders are only granted one extension after their initial three years. After that, they must either transfer their status or apply for a new L-1 visa.
How long can you work on an L-1A?
Even though the L-1A allows for holders to work for up to seven years, this limit cannot be exceeded for any reason. For other visas, such as the H-1B or J-1, an extension can be acquired past the usual maximum. There are even some visas like the O-1 and E-2 that allow for unlimited extensions.
What is the most difficult part of obtaining an H-1B visa?
One of the most difficult aspects of acquiring an H-1B, J-1, or TN visa is finding an entity that is willing to sponsor you for the visa. If you are a qualified L-1 applicant, then you are already employed with a U.S. company that will sponsor you.
Is L-1 visa easy to obtain?
Even though the L-1 can be relatively easy to obtain, those same advantages can be considered disadvantages if you are not already employed.
How many jobs are required for L-1A visa?
There is less pressure to create employment under the L-1A visa when compared to the EB-5 that requires the creation of at least 10 jobs.
How many subcategories are there for L-1 visas?
There are 2 subcategories of the L-1 Visa
What Are Other L-1 Visa Fees?
First, you will have to file Form I-129 with USCIS. After it has been approved, you can apply for the L-1 visa. The filing fee is $460, which is paid by the U.S company and must be submitted with Form I-129.
How long does it take to get a L-1 premium?
Processing an L-1 visa under premium processing takes at most 15 days, and the applicant is required to pay a fee of $1,440. The fee for the normal L-1 visa application is $460.
How to apply for an L-I visa?
Once Form I-129 has been approved, you will be required to apply for L-I visa status at the U.S embassy or consulate of your home country . You will also have to file for Form DS-160 at the Department of State and pay $190. The L-1 worker pays this fee. If you intend to change your status from non-immigrant status, you won’t have to pay this fee because you won’t be applying for the L-1 visa. Also, if you are a Canadian citizen, you won’t have to pay this fee because you will apply for an L-1 visa at the Port of Entry.
What is an L-1 petition?
Most L-1 petitions are categorized under L-1 new office, which means the American company has been operating for one year. So, you will have to form a new organization like an LLC. The U.S company will pay this fee.
Do you need a bachelor's degree to get a L-1 visa?
Unlike the H-1B visa that requires you to possess a bachelor’s degree, the L-1 visa has no education requirement.
What is the last step to take for L2 visa?
The last step is to attend the L2 visa interview, where you will be asked a series of question regarding your personal life, including your relationship with the L1 visa holder, and other general and personal questions.
How long is an L2 visa?
In addition, the L2 visa duration for the initial period of stay depends on the whether the principal L1 visa employee is coming to the United States to establish a new office or to join a pre-existing US office. In the case of establishing a new US office, the initial L2 visa duration is 1 year and for joining a pre-exiting office the initial L2 visa duration is 3 years with the option to extents until the maximum period allowed discussed above.
How to get an EAD card for a spouse?
In order to obtain the EAD, the spouse must file an application for work authorization with the USCIS and submit the required documents with the application. If the L2 visa spouse does not have a social security number (SSN) at the time he or she files for the EAD card, then the spouse can request a SSN in the application for the EAD.
How long does an EAD last?
The EAD for L2 visa spouse is issued for 2 years at a time and can be renewed 180 prior or less prior to its expiration provided that the spouse maintains valid status.
How long does it take to get a visa interview?
The applicant must complete the form and fill in all the required information. Please keep in mind it takes approximately 2 hours to complete the form and after you submit it, you receive a confirmation page that you must print and keep for your record to book the visa interview.
How long does it take for USCIS to approve an EAD?
Take into account that on average it takes about 3 months for USCIS to approve and issue the EAD, but the processing time varies based on workload and it can take less time (aprox. 1 month) or more time (aprox. 5 months).
Where to apply for L2 visa?
To apply for an L2 visa for spouse and children of L1 visa holders, the visa applicants must submit an application at the US Consulate or Embassy in their country together with the L2 visa required documents.
What is an L-1A visa?
The L-1A visa is for intracompany transferees who work in managerial or executive positions in a company that is located outside the United States.
What is L-1B nonimmigrant classification?
The L-1B nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer a professional employee with specialized knowledge relating to the organization’s interests from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States.
What is the classification of L-1A?
The L-1A nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S.
How long do you have to work abroad to get into the US?
Generally have been working for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years immediately before your admission to the United States; and
How long does an executive have to be employed before filing a petition?
They have a physical location for the new office; The employee has been employed as an executive or manager for one continuous year in the three years before filing the petition; and. The new office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of the approval of the petition.
Can you work in any country with L1?
No requirement. L1 worker can be from any country. Solely for treaty traders and treaty investors who come to the U.S. to engage in trade between the U.S. and the country in which they are employed. A treaty must exist between the U.S. and the foreign country. Ownership or Control.
Can a B1 visa holder be employed?
B1 visa holder can not be employed in the U.S. B1 visa is for a short duration for various activities related to the business but can not do any activity that would be considered an employment . There is no provision for the dependents of B1 visa holder.
Can a B1 visa holder work with a B2 visa?
Dependents may be able to accompany them on a B2 visa (tourist visa), but there is no dependent visa. B2 visa holders are not allowed to work in the U.S.
Is L1 a work visa?
L1 visa is one of them. There are several advantages of L1 visa compared to other work visas. There are many differences between L1 and H1B visa that a separate comparison of L1 and H1B visa has been made.
How long is an L1A visa good for?
L1A visas for executives and managers are initially granted for 3 years (if transferring the employee to an existing US office) or 1 year if the US office has been established for less than one yeare extendable in 2 year increments to a maximum of 7 years.
How old do you have to be to get a L2 visa?
L2 spouses must be legally married to the L1 visa holder, and L2 children must be unmarried and under the age of 21.
How long are L2 EADs valid?
L2 EADs are valid for 2 years, and can be renewed indefinitely as long as the applicant retains their valid L2 visa status.
Can L2 spouses work in the US?
L2 spouses. L2 spouses can apply for a US work visa by applying for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once an EAD is approved L2 spouses can work in any job role in the US, including self-employment.
Can a L1 parent get an L2 visa?
Unfortunately the rules on L2 family members are very strict, Only legally married spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the principal L1 applicant can gain L2 visa status.
Can a L1 visa holder travel to the US?
Parents, grandparents, and other family members of the prinicipal L1 visa holder cannot enter the US on an L2 visa, but may be able to visit on a B2 visitor visa.
Can L2 children work in the US?
Unfortunately L2 children cannot work in the US.
How long does it take to get a work permit for L2 visa?
However, it currently remains that USCIS demands L2 visa holders to apply for a work permit, which has often resulted in people losing their jobs because of lengthy adjudication times spanning 10 – 15 months.
What is USCIS taking away?
According to the lawsuit, USCIS is ‘taking away highly educated and skilled workers from their employers at a time when America is in the grip of a labor shortage ’.
Do spouses of L1 visa holders have to apply for work authorization?
The spouses of US L1 visa holders will be made exempt from having to apply for work authorization. Following a recent lawsuit, which contests a policy that forces L2 visa holders to apply separately for a work permit, it seems that United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to scrap the requirement for an employment authorization document (EAD).
Do L2 visa holders need an EAD?
L2 visa holders currently require an EAD to be eligible for job opportunities or self-employment , but US immigration campaigners claim that this leaves many spouses of L1 visa holders at a disadvantage in the jobs market.
What is an L1 visa?
The L1 visa is a dual-intent visa, meaning that you may have the intent to temporarily remain in the United States while simultaneously having the intent to possibly immigrate to the United States and become a lawful permanent resident in the future. iv. No Set Wage Requirements.
How many L1 visas can you get?
There is no annual limit to the number of L1 visas that can be issued.
How long is a L1A visa valid?
The L1A visa for managers and executives is initially valid for a period of 3 years and can be extended for a total of 7 years.
How many hours a week do you have to work to get an L1?
The entire year of qualifying employment should be satisfied by the time the L1 application is filed. The employment must be full-time (at least 35 hours a week). There is 1 exception to the full-time requirement in certain circumstances where the L1 beneficiary worked for multiple affiliated companies. iii.
What do you need to work for a foreign company to get an L1 visa?
To qualify for an L1 visa, you must have worked for the foreign company in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.
How long do you have to be employed in the US to file a L1?
The employee coming to work in the US must have been continuously employed full-time by the foreign company for at least 1 year within the last 3 years before filing the L1 petition. The employment with the foreign company must have been in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.
Where to apply for L1 visa?
If you are not doing a Change of Status, then you will likely be applying for your L1 visa at the Consulate of your home country.
How long does an H1B visa last?
H1B status lasts for an initial 3 years, with the option, where eligible, to extend to a total of 6 years. If your spouse is required to renew their H1B visa, you will also be required to renew your H-4 visa and EAD. While you are permitted to look for employment while your EAD application is being processed, you may not start work in ...
What form do I need to file an H1B petition for alien worker?
Where the H1B worker has been granted an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker form I-140 , provide a copy of the approval notice form I-797 for the I-140.
How long is an EAD valid?
Your EAD will be valid for as long as you hold H-4 status, which in turn will rely on your spouse’s H1B status. H1B status lasts for an initial 3 years, with the option, where eligible, to extend to a total of 6 years.
What is the purpose of Part 1 of the EAD?
Part 1: Reason for Applying (to accept employment, replace a lost EAD or renew one)
What form do I need to get a green card for H1B?
The H1B worker must be on track to attain a Green Card, that is they hold an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker form I-140, or have been granted an extension to their H1B status under sections 106 (a) and (b) of the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act (AC21).
How much does it cost to file an I-765?
File your I-765 form, along with your supporting documents and filing fee. As at July 2018, the filing fee is $410 . An $85 biometric services fee must also be paid.
Who is NNU immigration?
NNU Immigration are dedicated US immigration attorneys. If you are considering applying for the H-4 visa or employment authorization, we can guide you through the application process. For advice about your US visa application, contact us.

Establishing New Offices
L-1A Classification
- The L-1A nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send an executive or manager to the United States with the purpose of establishing one. Your e…
to Qualify, You Must
- Generally have been working for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years immediately before your admission to the United States; and
- Be seeking to enter the United States to provide service in an executive or managerial capacity for a branch of the same employer or one of its qualifying organizations.
L-1B Classification
- The L-1B nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer a professional employee with specialized knowledge relating to the organization’s interests from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send a specialized knowle…