Starting the L1A journey - establishing a new US office - any success stories?

[emenem 0]

Hi All

Im about to embark on the above visa, but need to know whether its just a dream or can it actually work. Family owns a large electrical company in my home country where I am employed (as a manager for the last 3 years) and I want to move to the USA with mypartner and infant. Immigration lawyer makes it sound easy 1) set up a U.S company, bank account etc 2) have all supporting documents including turnover etc from parent company 3) file for L1a visa.

Has anyone been through this and how did it work out for you. I know large multi nationals do this all the time but we are a company of about 30 employees.

TIA

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

How big will the US company be? ie how much of an investment, how many US citizens will it employ?

[Boiler 43,583]

Essentially that is how multi national companies do it.

Usually.

[emenem 0]

The U.S company will start small. And will eventually employ people. @boiler, do you think its good to proceed then?

[Boiler 43,583]

No idea, you asked if the L can be used to start up a subsidiary.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Usually the L visa, when related to management, requires you to manage people. It doesn't sound like you would be, at least at the beginning.

You may be better off setting up the subsidiary from afar, hiring a US citizen manager, and then once the firm is successful and needs a GM, going for the visa then.

[mindthegap 2,537]

No issues with your plan on the face of it.

Broadly, an L-1A for a new US branch would require you to show:

-The usual 1 yr continuous in a three year period outside the US for the existing company

-A financial ability to commence operations in the US - if you company is established and successful overseas this shouldn't be too hard.

-Premises obtained or a lease

-That the office/branch will be up and running, and that the role be an executive or managerial position within one year, and it doesn't matter if you are starting from scratch and very small. Emphasis on this last point - If you had to manage people from day 1, it would defeat the point of it being to set up a US branch of an overseas company. If you don't meet this point, then there may well be some issues come visa renewal time.

Put together a solid and comprehensive business plan that demonstrates an ability and an intention to fulfill what they require.

How big will the US company be? ie how much of an investment, how many US citizens will it employ?

Those are more relevant to an E-2 than an L-1 to be honest, where as an investor visa the specific aim is to provide jobs for US citizens.

Edited August 18, 2016 by mindthegap