L-1 Visa Attorney in Washington, DC

Get Experienced Guidance From Our Washington DC, L-1 Visa Lawyer

The Law Firm Of Shihab & Associates brings over 50 years of combined legal experience to L-1 intracompany transfer petitions. Our multilingual team communicates in English, Arabic, and Spanish, and our proximity to federal agencies means we follow immigration policy as it develops.

Our founder, Gus M. Shihab, has personally processed L-1 petitions on behalf of multinational corporations and small investors. That direct filing history shapes how we approach each petition today: with a clear understanding of what the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) looks for, where petitions stall, and how to build a record that holds up under scrutiny.

L-1A & L-1B: Understanding the Two Categories

The L-1 visa allows a qualifying multinational organization to transfer an employee from a foreign affiliate, subsidiary, or parent to a U.S. operation. 

The classification is divided into two categories:

• L-1A: The L-1A covers employees serving in an executive or managerial capacity. 
• L-1B: The L-1B covers employees with specialized knowledge, meaning knowledge of the company’s products, services, research, or techniques that is distinct from what is generally found in the industry.

Threshold Requirements for Both Categories

Both categories share several threshold requirements for employers and employees.

Requirements for the employer include:

• The employer must maintain a qualifying relationship with the foreign entity, 

• The transferee must have worked full-time for the foreign entity for at least one continuous year within the three years immediately before the transfer. 
• (L-1A visa) The transferee is seeking to enter the U.S. to provide services in a specialized knowledge capacity for the same employer or a qualifying affiliated organization. 
• (L-1B) The transferee is seeking to enter the U.S. to provide services in an executive or managerial capacity for the same employer or a qualified affiliated organization.

Furthermore, placement at a third-party worksite is generally prohibited unless the L-1 holder remains under the direct control and supervision of the petitioning employer and the work performed reflects specialized knowledge specific to that employer. 

When the H-1B is unavailable due to the annual cap, the L-1 can be a viable alternative for transferring a qualified employee into a U.S. role.

Stay Periods, Extensions & L-2 Dependent Status

L-1 holders are initially admitted for three years. However, new-office petitions, filed when the U.S. entity has been operating for less than one year, receive only a one-year initial period. Extensions are then available in two-year increments, capped at a total stay of seven years for L-1A holders and five years for L-1B holders. Furthermore, spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany or follow the principal L-1 holder in L-2 dependent status. 

Premium Processing for L-1 Petitions

USCIS offers premium processing for L-1 petitions. When an employer requests it, USCIS commits to acting on the petition within 15 calendar days of receipt. If USCIS doesn’t meet that window, it refunds the premium processing fee and continues expedited handling. Our Washington, DC, L-1 visa lawyer advises each employer on whether the timeline and cost of premium processing make sense for their specific transfer situation.

Why Hire The Law Firm Of Shihab & Associates?

Navigating the L-1 visa process can involve detailed eligibility requirements, extensive documentation, and careful petition preparation. With our dedicated L-1 visa lawyer in Washington, DC, at your side, you can better understand your options, prepare a thorough petition, and navigate each stage of the process with greater clarity and confidence.

Choose us for our:

• Multilingual services: We provide legal services in English, Spanish, and Arabic to help clients understand the L-1 visa process and communicate comfortably with our team.
• Positive client reviews: Our clients have shared positive experiences about working with our team throughout their immigration matters.
• Extensive experience: We have helped thousands of clients with their legal and immigration needs.
• Clear communication: We explain L-1 requirements, documentation, and next steps in straightforward language so you understand what to expect.
• Personalized approach: We evaluate each client's circumstances individually and tailor our L-1 visa strategy to the specific business, employee, and immigration goals involved.

Talk to Our L-1 Visa Lawyers in Washington, DC

We offer consultations to evaluate L-1 eligibility, assess qualifying company relationships, and identify the right filing strategy for your situation. Whether you’re a multinational corporation moving a senior executive or a smaller company transferring an employee with company-specific knowledge, we build petitions tailored to the facts of your case. We evaluate each situation individually, communicate what to expect at every stage, and give clients direct access to a case management portal and digital scheduling from the start.