L1 Visa Checklist

FORMS

• I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (Either a U.S. or foreign employer may file the petition); and
• The L Classification Supplement to Form I-129.
• DS-160, Non-immigrant Visa Application

SIGNATURE

• Make sure the petition is properly signed and filed. USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature.

FEES

Note: Check current fees as they may change: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees

• $460 Filing Fee for Form I-129.
• $500 for fraud prevention and $4,500 detection fee (if applicable) paid by Employer.
• Optional $2500 USCIS Premium Processing fee, if you want to expedite the processing.  USCIS must  reply or make a decision  within 15 calendar days after receiving submission.
• $190 for the DS-160.
• Make the check or money order for the USCIS filing fees payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” Do not use the initials “USDHS” or “DHS.” 

DOCUMENTS

Note: You may submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document.

IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS 

• Copies of all passports and visas;
• I-94;
• Birth Certificates;
• Social Security Cards, if applicable;
• Marriage Certificate, if applicable;
• State ID; 
• Proof of legal name change, if you have changed your name; and
• All identification documents of dependents if applicable.

ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTS 

• Evidence Beneficiary has maintained lawful status (if applicable);
• Evidence of the qualifying relationship between the U.S. and foreign employer based on ownership and control;
• A description of the proposed job duties and qualifications; and
• Letter from Employer confirming employment.

IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS: 

• Copies of any Employment Authorization Documents;
• If a student, include I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status; and
• Any other immigration related documents showing a previous immigration visa or current valid immigration status.

TRANSLATED DOCUMENTS

All foreign documents should be translated into English by someone who is sufficient as required by USCIS.

• Evidence the proposed employment is in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity; and
• Evidence that the Beneficiary’s employment for the required one year abroad is in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity (as applicable).

Evidence for a New Office

For managerial or executive capacity (L-1A): 

• Sufficient physical premises to house the new office have been secured; 
• The Beneficiary has been employed for 1 continuous year in the 3-year period preceding the filing of the petition in an executive or managerial capacity and that the proposed employment involves executive or managerial authority over the new operation; and 
• The intended U.S. operation, within 1 year of approval, will support an executive or managerial position. This statement (or business plan) should be supported by information regarding: 
• The proposed nature of the office describing the scope of the entity, its organizational structure, and its financial goals; 
• The size of the United States investment and the foreign entity’s financial ability to remunerate the beneficiary and to commence doing business in the United States; and
• The organizational structure of the foreign entity. 

For specialized knowledge capacity (L-1B): 

• Sufficient physical premises to house the new office have been secured; and 
• The petitioner has the financial ability to remunerate the beneficiary and to commence doing business in the United States.

AFTER USCIS APPROVAL 

• The visa interview appointment letter;
• The DS-160 visa application confirmation page;
• The DS-160 visa application fee receipt;
• A valid passport with at least 6 months left prior to its expiry;
• Any old passports;
• Most recent resume or CV;
• Two recent color photographs of your face;
• A copy of the I-129 petition submitted to USCIS;
• The I-797 approval notice from USCIS; and
• A letter from employer to the consulate requesting an L1 visa.