Multinational businesses wishing to send staff from their abroad offices to the United States often choose the L-1 visa. This type of visa lets businesses bring important people to their American headquarters, so enabling the seamless flow of commerce worldwide. Getting an L-1 visa can be difficult and time-consuming, though. There are various ways you may simplify the application procedure and lower possible delays if you want your L-1 visa faster.
1. Know the L-1 Visa Requirements.
Clear knowledge of the visa L-1 USA criteria is absolutely essential before starting the application procedure. L-1 visas come two flavors:
- For managers and executives, L1A Visa.
- L1B Visa: For workers possessing specific knowledge.
- The applicant must have worked for the parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch of the U.S. corporation outside the United States for at least one continuous year within the past three years to qualify for either visa. Knowing these criteria guarantees that you compile all the required records and steer clear of typical mistakes that could impede the progress.
2. Get ready with thorough and accurate application.
Faster L-1 visa USA approval depends on a properly ready application. This implies giving all of your forms and accompanying documentation whole and accurate information:
Company Documentation: Show proof that the foreign company and American one qualify for L-1 visas. This can call for business licenses, organizational charts, and financial statements.
Employee Documentation: Add the applicant’s resume, job descriptions—both current and proposed—along with proof of the one-year employment requirement.
Support Messages: Crucially, a thorough support letter from the company describing the applicant’s credentials and the need of the employment in the United States is vital.
Before submission, double-check all papers for completeness and accuracy to help to prevent delays resulting from RFE requests.
3. Give the Blanket L-1 Petition some thought.
Applying for a blanket L-1 petition will greatly expedite the procedure if your organization routinely moves staff members to the United States. By allowing the company to pre-qualify as an L-1 visa sponsor, a blanket petition lets individual employees apply straight at a U.S. consulate, therefore saving the need for a separate petition for every employee.
Since most of the paperwork is pre-approved, the process gets faster and more effective with a blanket petition. Still, this choice usually only comes from bigger businesses that fit particular criteria.
4. Use Premium Processing Service.
Using the Premium Processing Service provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will help you speed up your L-1 visa application most of the time. USCIS will handle your petition inside 15 calendar days for an extra cost. Should they fail to reach this date, they will reimburse the cost and carry on with quick processing.
If you must begin your project immediately from the United States, premium processing is extremely helpful. Premium Processing does not, however, ensure approval, even if it accelerates the adjudication of your case.
5. See an experienced immigration attorney.
Managing the L-1 visa application can be difficult, hence even little errors might cause delays. Hiring a seasoned immigration attorney focused in L-1 visas can help to guarantee that your application is promptly and properly prepared and submitted.
Should any problems with USCIS arise, an attorney can protect your interests, assist you through the complexity of the L-1 visa application procedure, help you avoid typical mistakes. Their knowledge might be really helpful in speeding up your visa application.
6. Plan your visa interview early.
After your petition is accepted, you should arrange to visit a U.S. consulate for your visa interview. Interview waiting periods vary greatly depending on the consulate’s location. To prevent pointless delays:
Plan Right Away: Set up your visa interview as soon as your petition is granted. Early booking will enable you to have an early appointment.
Track wait times. Watch visa interview wait times at several consulates; some may provide sooner appointments than others. If at all feasible, think about going for your interview in another city or nation.
7. Arrange for the visa Interview.
Furthermore accelerating the approval procedure is your being ready for your visa interview. Make sure you have all required records including:
Make sure your passport covers at least six months beyond your planned U.S. stay.
Your Visa Application Form DS-160: Accurately complete this online form and present the confirming page to your interview.
USCIS has approved your petition according to form I-797, approval notice.
Supporting Records: Bring copies of your employment contract, thorough work description, and other records proving your credentials and the need of your transfer.
Clearly and boldly respond to the questions asked by the consular official; be ready to address your position inside the organization, your credentials, and the nature of the U.S. assignment.
8. Be proactive and forward-looking.
Getting your L-1 visa faster depends on advance planning and proactive behavior all through the procedure. Early on, start compiling your records; track deadlines; and, as necessary, follow up with USCIS or your attorney.
Keeping orderly and meticulous about details will help you to avoid needless delays and raise your chances of quick visa clearance.
Although applying for an L-1 visa can take time, you can speed the process by knowing the criteria, carefully drafting an application, and using blanket petitions and Premium Processing. Working with an expert immigration attorney and keeping proactive throughout the application process will further increase your chances of receiving your L-1 visa faster, so enabling you to start your new assignment in the U.S. without needless delays.
