If a company in a foreign country wants to establish a branch or an affiliated organization in the United States, then it must seek an L-1A visa for the appropriate employee.
Generally, that employee is either someone in upper management or an executive.
The US government has offered specific details, regarding the nature of the job that is held by someone who qualifies for one of these visas.
The man or woman who claims to have an upper management position should be managing an organization, a subdivision, a department or a function.
He or she should also be someone who exercises discretion over the daily operations that are performed by the managed workers.
The man or woman who claims to be an executive in a company should establish the goals and policies.
He or she should enjoy wide latitude in the decision-making process moreover, he or she should receive only general supervision.
Both those in a management position and those who are executives must be part of a company that plans to maintain a base of operations in its home country.
The person who has received the company's backing, while applying for the L-1A visa should have worked for that same enterprise for at least one year.
In fact, the US government expects proof of that fact, as the application process proceeds.
These particular visas must be applied for at an office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
At the time of the application, the applicant must bring to that office a valid passport and proof of employment in the supporting company.
Once someone has obtained one of these special visas, he or she enjoys certain privileges.
The holder of an L-1A visa can apply for an L-2, a document that would allow a spouse and any dependent children to enter the United States, while that same visa-holder is serving in the role of manager/executive at a branch or an affiliate.
Once the spouse has been granted an L-2, he or she can seek a work authorization.
Once the dependent children, those under the age of 21, have been granted that same document, they can attend school in the United States.
More importantly, possession of this particular document can be used as a stepping stone.
It provides a man or woman in a managerial or executive position with sufficient time for pursuing a particular path.
That is the path that must be taken by anyone who hopes to obtain permanent resident status.
If you require more information about the visa or have queries that need to be answered, it is best to consult an immigration attorney that deals with various aspects of a visa.
Not only does an immigration attorney assist you with the various steps and procedures in application, documentation and interview help when you file for any of the pertinent visas.
The lawyer can help you with the complete process and is able to guide you better as he or she is conversant with the latest laws.