1990 Immigration Act created a new
employment-based immigrant preference category for manager and
executives who meet the L-1 standard for alien transferees. The
maximum duration of stay for L-1A managers and executives is seven
years, and five years for L-1B specialized knowledge personnel.
The US employer has to file a petition with the CIS for obtaining permission to
transfer a foreign national for a temporary period.If the alien has already in the US in a different
nonimmigrant category, change of status petition has to be filed
with CIS. L-1 aliens who is qualifying for immigration in this
category are exempted from the usual labor certification
requirement, and also may seek permanent residence and still
obtain L-1 visas, which means L-1alines will no longer experience
the difficulties for receiving L-1 visas based on their intention
to obtain US permanent residence.
On December 8,2004, FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill has been signed into law
by the President Bush, and will be in effect 90 days after the
date of enactment. Based on the new regulation, $500 fraud fee
will be added to the initial L-1 petition or change of status, and
L-1 blanket petitions.
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