L-1 Visa Blanket Petitions

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Certain employers who wish to transfer professional foreign employees with specialized knowledge to the United States may do so by applying for L-1A or L-1B visa classification with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Ordinarily, employers would have to apply for this certification for each individual employee they wish to bring to the United States; a process which can be time-consuming and tedious. To solve this, the USCIS allows employers the opportunity to file an L-1 blanket petition which, if approved, pre-qualifies the employer for all future foreign employee transfers.

At USILaw, our Montgomery County immigration lawyers have been guiding employers and foreign employees through the American immigration system for years and can provide the skilled support you need to maximize your chances of success. Backed by an intimate understanding of American immigration law, our team of attorneys can eliminate the guesswork of your petition and provide the strong guidance you need during this time.

Dial (800) 335-8520 today to find out more about how we can assist you.

What Are the Advantages of L-1 Blanket Petitions?

Once approved, an L-1 blanket petition can considerably reduce the time required to process a transfer application as it does not require the employer to prove their eligibility every time they wish to transfer an eligible employee to the United States. This streamlines the process by only requiring the transferring employee to prove their eligibility at their respective foreign consulate, giving employers the freedom to quickly transfer employees on relatively short notice. Employers with approved L-1 blanket petitions need only to complete Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition, and send it to the employee along with a copy of the company’s blanket petition approval notice, at which point the employee can present it to the consular officer to obtain L-1 approval.

To be approved for an L-1 blanket petition, an employer must meet the following requirements:

  1. They must be engaged in commercial trade or services
  2. They have an office in the United States that has been doing business for at least one year
  3. They have three or more domestic or foreign branches, affiliates, or subsidiaries
  4. They have obtained approval of petitions for at least 10 “L” executives, managers, or specialized professionals during the last 12 months, have at least 1,000 employees, or have a combined annual sales of at least $25 million amongst all subsidiaries or affiliates.

Renewing an L-1 Blanket Petition

An approved L-1 blanket petition is valid for a period of three years and can be used to authorize an unlimited number of transfers. Extensions for blanket petitions are also unlimited.

To renew an L-1 blanket petition, a petitioner must provide the following:

  1. A copy of their previous blanket petition approval notice
  2. A summary of all L-1 employees admitted under the petition during the past three years, including the following information for each:
    1. His or her name
    2. Positions held
    3. Employing entity
    4. The date of initial L-1 admission
    5. The date of final departure
    6. Records of any changes in approved relationships

If an employer fails to apply for an extension of this petition or if their extension is denied, they will not be able to file for another L-1 blanket petition for three years. As such, it is important for employers to act quickly and retain the services of a knowledgeable attorney to protect themselves against various pitfalls.

Retain the Strong Legal Guidance You Need

At USILaw, our Montgomery County immigration attorneys are passionate about helping individuals and businesses pursue their dreams of working the United States. Whether you are a corporation looking to apply for an L-1 blanket petition or an individual interested in transferring to the U.S., our team can guard your interests and offer the trusted support you need to navigate through the immigration system as smoothly as possible.

Get in touch with us online today to schedule a confidential consultation.