L-1 Visas for Short-Term Assignments
Posted Oct 12, 1998

In a May 28, 1998 cable, the U.S. Department of State discusses L1 visas for employees entering the U.S. short term assignments. The L1 classification is for intra-company transferees to the United States of full-time, executive, management, or those with specialized knowledge. The cable explains that while an L visa applicant must be employed by the company on a full-time basis, the alien does not have to be engaged on a full-time basis in the U.S., and may travel and divide the time and work between the U.S. and another country.

The State Department clarified that an L1 Beneficiary who is principally employed out of the U.S. and resides out of the U.S. may receive an L visa for the purpose of coming to work on a short term basis. There is no requirement that the L1 Beneficiary enter the U.S. to work full time in the U.S., though the person is required to be a full time employee of the U.S. company.