U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires the submission of certain documentation for L-1 visas. This paperwork serves to prove that both the petitioning employer and alien beneficiary (or beneficiaries) meet the visa category’s requirements.
The lists we’ve compiled below, categorized by whom the documentation is required from, are examples of documents USCIS may expect or request. In light of the extensive array of information required for an L-1 petition, we strongly recommend that petitioners seek the services of an experienced L-1 legal team.
We’ve also consolidated additional information required in a PDF you can download and fill out here.
U.S. Company Documentation
The following is generally expected from the petitioning U.S. employer:
- Description of company business
- Articles of incorporation or association
- Application for Employer Identification Number (Form SS-4)
- Stock certificates
- Lease of business location
- Bank statement or wire transfer evidencing initial investment
- Audited accounting reports (e.g., balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow reports, etc.)
- Corporate income tax return (Form 1120), if any
- Employer's quarterly tax filings (Form 941), if any
- Documentation of business transactions (e.g., commercial contracts, invoices, bills of lading, letters of credit, etc.)
- Company letterhead with company logo, name, and address (several sheets)
- Company structure and plan for acquiring and maintaining new employees
- Interior and exterior photographs of the main office
Foreign Company Documentation
The following is generally expected from the overseas business entity:
- Articles of incorporation
- Business license
- Income tax filings for the past three years
- Audited accounting reports (e.g., balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow reports, etc.)
- Organizational chart, which should include the total number of employees and indicate the position held by the transferee
- Company brochure or product introduction
- Documentation of business transactions (e.g., commercial contracts, invoices, bills of lading, letters of credit, etc.)
- Bank statements or transactional records
- Company letterhead with company logo, name, and address (several sheets)
- Pictures of company's main office, factories, or buildings (disregard if already included in company brochure or product introduction)
Alien Transferee Documentation
The following is generally expected from the alien beneficiary:
- Resume
- Diploma
- Employment verification letter from the foreign company
- Board resolution or appointment documents verifying the transfer of the alien to the U.S.
- Any other documents showing transferee's ability to conduct business in the executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity
For more information on the L-1 category, refer to the following links:
Updated 05/18/2017