H1B Visa and Immigration Law Attorney New York

<body bgcolor=white background="images/backflag.gif" lang=EN-US link=red vlink=red style='tab-interval:.5in' alink="#cc0000"> <div class=Section1> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;mso-cellspacing:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0'> <td colspan=3 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:18.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes;height:45.75pt'> <td width="15%" style='width:15.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img width=75 height=50 id="_x0000_i1025" src="images/us-flag.gif"></p> </td> <td width="68%" valign=bottom style='width:68.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in; height:45.75pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-family:Verdana'>LAW OFFICE OF AJAY K. ARORA</span></b><br> <b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Empire State Building<br> 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2806<br> New York, NY 10118<br> Phone: (212)268-3580<br> Fax: (212)268-3582<br> Email: <a href="mailto:info@h1b1.com">info@h1b1.com</a></span></b> </p> </td> <td width="17%" style='width:17.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img border=0 width=75 height=50 id="_x0000_i1026" src="images/us-flag.gif"></p> </td> </tr> </table> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Disclaimer: This article is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. All information contained herein is generalized. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-border-insideh: 1.5pt solid #1D0581;mso-border-insidev:1.5pt solid #1D0581'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes;height:.3in'> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/overview.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>H-1B</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/laborcert.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>PERM</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/L1visa.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>L-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/employmentbased.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>EB-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/employmentbased.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>NIW</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/O1pet.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>O-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=102 style='width:76.8pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/sponsor.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>FAMILY SPONSORSHIP</span></a></span></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=100 style='width:75.3pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:windowtext'><a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/feechart.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>OTHER IMMIGRATION</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="index.html" target="_parent"><span style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=41 height=34 id="_x0000_i1028" src="images/home.gif" alt="Back to Home Page" name=HomePage></span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana'><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:Verdana'>L-1 INTRACOMPANY TRANSFER</span></h2> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>There are two types of visas in the L-1 category. The L-1A is reserved for managers or executives while L-1B is reserved for individuals with "specialized knowledge". <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The L-1 visa is an intra-company transferee visa which allows executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge (t</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>he knowledge that is referred to in the term "specialized knowledge" covers any knowledge that specifically concerns the employer company, its procedures, products or international marketing methods) <span style='mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>to transfer from the foreign company to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company to perform temporary services.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>A key qualification for eligibility for the L-1 visa category is the requirement that an individual should have been in continuous employment abroad with a foreign employer for one year within three years preceding the time of the employee’s application for admission into the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> in L-1 status. </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>The individual must have been employed as an executive, manager, or as a specialized skill worker for a minimum of twelve months during the three years immediately preceding the filing of the L-1 visa petition. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The maximum duration of L-1 status is seven years for executives and managers and five years for persons with specialized knowledge. </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>L-1 visa status holders may remain in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>US</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> in valid nonimmigrant only as long as the U.S. Company qualifies as the same company or subsidiary or affiliate status with the foreign company and there is continual existence of the foreign company during the said period.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>It is permissible for an employee to be granted L-1 status to open a "new office" of the foreign parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. The newly incorporated U.S. Company will be the petitioner for the L-1 visa category on behalf of the individual employee. A certified public accountant will be able to assist in incorporating a new company.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Any form of corporation (C Corp, S Corp, LLC, Professional Corporation, etc.) is fine for immigration purposes. Evidence must be submitted to the USCIS establishing that the new office has a suitable place to do business and that the employer has the ability to pay the employee and to begin doing business in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> Both the foreign and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size: 13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> operations must be "doing business" for the entire time that the L-1 employee is working in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size: 13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>In practical terms, a “new office� can be created in the following order: incorporating a company and being issued a federal tax i.d. number; leasing or subleasing office space for at least one year; and opening a business checking account and depositing enough funds in the account to take care of initial expenses until the U.S. company is capable of generating revenues. Our law firm has experience in filing L-1 petitions with both well-established U.S. companies as well as new office cases. Since we will also be providing evidence of the relationship between the U.S. company and the foreign company (for example, the U.S. office issues 100 shares of stock, at least 51 of which are owned by the foreign company), the USCIS understands that the foreign company will be providing financial and other support to a newly established U.S. company, since the foreign company has a vested financial interest in the success of the U.S. company. The U.S. company can be in a different line of business than the foreign company. A well-established foreign company with deep pockets may result in easier approval of the L-1 petition filed by the newly established U.S. company.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The petition for a nonimmigrant worker is filed with the appropriate USCIS service Center in the United States with the applicable filing fees. Once the petition is approved, the employee may apply for an L-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. If the employee is in the U.S. and maintaining other nonimmigrant status, he or she may apply for a change of status in the U.S. If a candidate changes from another status (for example, B-1 business visitor status) to L-1 within the U.S., there is no requirement to have a L-1 visa stamp in the passport. However, if this person travels abroad, he or she will apply for an L-1 visa stamp from a U.S. Consulate abroad in order to enter the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> The L-1 visa stamp is multiple-entry, and an individual will maintain L-1 visa status even if he or she spends most of his or her time outside the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> It is also permissible to be paid a salary by the foreign company instead of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'> company and still maintain L-1 status. An individual in L-1 status looking for employment flexibility can change to another nonimmigrant employment-based visa status such as H-1B.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>L-1 visa status is granted initially for one to three years with extensions available in three-year increments, with a total stay not to exceed seven years. In new office situations, the petition may be approved only for one year initially. <span style='mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of the L-1 visa holder are granted L-2 visas. L-2 dependent visa holders are eligible to apply for employment authorization with the USCIS and be legally employed during their temporary stay in the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>It is possible to convert the L-1 visa for executives and managers to lawful permanent residence status under the employment-based first preference (<a href="employmentbased.htm">EB-1</a>) category. Executives and managers in L-1 status can obtain permanent resident status by directly filing the Immigrant Petition for Individual Worker under the employment based first preference category (EB-1) without first obtaining a labor certification (<a target="_top" href="http://www.h1b1.com/laborcert.htm">PERM</a>) from the United States Department of Labor. The time taken to obtain permanent resident status under this category is relatively short when compared to other employment based preference categories, and in most cases an adjustment of status application can be filed concurrently with the EB-1 petition.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold'>The L-1 petition requires extensive documentary evidence to establish the existence of the foreign company and the viability of the U.S. company, the relationship between the two entities, the nature of the proposed employment and the employee’s qualification for the offered position. </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:ArialMT'>We will guide you by providing information on the supporting documents to be obtained. In addition to the above, our office will ensure that the supporting documents are organized as per the USCIS’s preferred format. We will ensure that the petition is properly filed with the appropriate USICS service center and keep you informed about the progress of your petition.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:ArialMT'>As a guide to persons seeking to utilize our law firm’s legal services in the preparation/filing of the L-1 petition, we have prepared a list of documents that can be collected to expedite the filing of a petition. The below list is relevant when we have discussed with you whether the threshold requirements of filing have been met, as well as the probability of success. Please <a href="contact.htm">contact</a> our law firm to discuss your options.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>We request a copy of the following documents in duplicate from <b>the foreign company</b> in order to file the L-1A or L-1B petition once our law firm has been retained for the preparation/filing of the petition: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Documents evidencing ownership structure of company such as incorporation documents (memorandum and articles) or partnership deed <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tax returns last 3 years or Annual Report last 3 years<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Financial statements (balance sheet and P&L statement) last 3 years <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Monthly Bank statements last couple of months (if available) and bank letter giving current balance <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Sales/Purchase invoices last 3 years or Agreements or Contracts with clients or billing invoices for services/products provided (a random assortment is fine; we do not need literally all sales and purchase invoices) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Evidence that the company has employees. This could include a list of employees including names, addresses, position or title, and date hired on company letterhead. The beneficiary’s name should be on the list with suitable<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>title. Alternatively, employment agreements with employees issued at time of hire is fine. An organizational chart is very helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Letter from company verifying the job title and dates of employment of the beneficiary and stating current job duties and responsibilities, as well as mentioning that the beneficiary is being transferred to the U.S. office temporarily and noting the job title and duties and responsibilities to be assumed at the U.S. office<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Evidence that the company owns or leases office space or has other property such as inventory, etc <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Evidence of company membership in any professional organization or chamber of commerce<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Blank letterhead of company <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Evidence of any government licenses or other licenses that are required to operate as a business, if applicable<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Brochure or catalogue or other profile or description of company <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Evidence of advertising or other promotional activities that the company may have undertaken, if applicable<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>From the <b>U.S. Company</b> we need: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Incorporation documents such as memorandum and articles of incorporation and perhaps copy of stock certificate(s) or other evidence showing ownership structure<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Lease or sublease for office space valid for at least one year <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Letter from bank stating current balance, and monthly statements of last couple of<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>� </span>months if applicable<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Quarterly payroll statements for the last 4 quarters, if available<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Tax returns and Financial statements for the past 3 years, if available<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Sales invoices/Purchase invoices or other evidence of business transactions, if available.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Letterhead<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Brochure or profile or other description of company<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Some of the above evidence from the U.S. Company is not applicable in “new office� situations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Other documents and information that may be helpful:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Copy of passport of the beneficiary<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Resume of the beneficiary<o:p></o:p></span></p> </blockquote> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>[Note: Please consult with an attorney specializing in Immigration & Nationality law for professional advice in specific situations.] </span></p> <p style='margin-left:.5in'><a href="index.html" target="_parent"><span style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=41 height=34 id="_x0000_i1029" src="images/home.gif" alt="Back to Home Page" name=HomePage></span></a></p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><i>Ajay K. Arora, Esq., is a prominent member of the Immigration & Nationality bar in New York City and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He may be contacted at (212)268-3580.</i></p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <br> <a href="http://www.bitwords.com/custom-web-design.php">custom web design</a> by Bitwords Media <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Copyright � 1999-2010 Ajay K. Arora, Attorney-at-Law, P.C. All rights reserved.</span> </p> </div> <br><a href="http://www.bitwords.com/">Website design and developed</a> by Bitwords Media </body>