U.S. Citizenship and L-1 Visa Holders

1. What are the requirements to obtain U.S. citizenship?


In order to obtain U.S. citizenship, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be at least 18 years old.
2. You must have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years (3 years if you are married to a US citizen).
3. You must have resided in the United States for at least 30 months in the past 5 years.
4. You must demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government by passing a civics exam.
5. You must be able to read, write, and speak English (unless you qualify for an exemption).
6. You must have good moral character and demonstrate allegiance to the US Constitution.
7. You must be willing to take an oath of allegiance to the United States of America.

2. What is an L-1 visa and how long is it valid for?


An L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by the United States government to foreign nationals who work for a company that has offices in both the United States and abroad. The visa allows the worker to transfer from the international office to the U.S. office for up to seven years. This visa is valid for up to three years initially, with the option to extend it up to seven years.

3. What documents must an L-1 visa holder submit to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in order to extend their L-1 visa?


To extend an L-1 visa, the visa holder must submit:

1. Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker;

2. Copies of valid passport and visa;

3. A letter explaining the reason for the visa extension;

4. Copies of all previous U.S. immigration documents and correspondences, including previous petitions, forms, I-94s, and any notices of action;

5. Evidence that the employee is still employed in the same capacity as before and that their job duties have not changed significantly; and

6. Evidence of the employer’s financial ability to pay the employee’s wages and salary during the extended stay.

4. What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa?


An immigrant visa is issued to people who wish to live permanently in the United States. This type of visa allows an individual to live and work permanently in the country and can eventually lead to U.S. citizenship.

A nonimmigrant visa allows an individual to visit the United States temporarily, usually for business or pleasure. This type of visa does not give the individual the right to live or work in the U.S. permanently, and must be renewed after a certain period of time.

5. What is the process for applying for an L-1 visa?


An L-1 visa is a type of visa that allows a foreign national to enter the United States temporarily in order to conduct business or work for a company that is related to their foreign employer. In order to be eligible for an L-1 visa, the foreign national must have been employed with their foreign employer for at least one year in the past three years. Additionally, the foreign national must be entering the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity for a U.S. employer, who must be related to the foreign employer.

To apply for an L-1 visa, the foreign national must first fill out and submit Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with their U.S. employer. The petition must include evidence of the relationship between the U.S. and foreign employers, evidence of the foreign national’s qualifications, and proof of necessary fees. The foreign national must then complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160), pay the nonrefundable application fee, and schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. At the interview, they will need to provide a valid passport and other required documents, such as proof of employment and proof of travel plans. Once approved, the visa will be issued and valid for up to five years with multiple entries into the United States.

6. What documents must a U.S. citizen submit to the USCIS in order to apply for citizenship?


A U.S. citizen submitting to the USCIS in order to apply for citizenship must complete and submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, as well as supporting documentation such as evidence of legal permanent residency, two passport-style photographs, a copy of a valid ID, and any documents that prove a history of good moral character. They must also provide proof of continuous residence in the U.S., evidence of physical presence in the U.S., and evidence of knowledge of U.S. civics and history.

7. Are there any special requirements for L-1 visa holders who wish to become U.S. citizens?


Yes, L-1 visa holders must meet the same requirements for naturalization as other non-U.S. citizens who wish to become U.S. citizens. This includes having permanent residence in the U.S., being 18 or older, being physically present in the U.S. for a certain amount of time, having a basic understanding of English and U.S. government/history, and demonstrating good moral character.

8. Are there any restrictions on the activities of L-1 visa holders in the United States?


Yes. L-1 visa holders are prohibited from engaging in any activities that would constitute unauthorized employment, such as engaging in any paid or unpaid work outside of their authorized employment. They must also remain employed within the scope of their approved work, and may not use the L-1 visa to attend school or receive public assistance. Additionally, L-1 visa holders are subject to the minimum wage requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor and may not work for longer than the duration of their approved L-1 stay.

9. What are the eligibility requirements for an L-1 visa?


The eligibility requirements for an L-1 visa are as follows:
1. The applicant must be an employee of a company that has a qualifying relationship with a U.S. entity.
2. The applicant must have been employed with the company for at least one continuous year within the last three years.
3. The applicant must be entering the U.S. to work in a managerial or executive position, or as a specialized knowledge worker.
4. The applicant must be entering the country to work for a branch of the same organization, its parent, subsidiary, or affiliate company that is located in the U.S.

10. How long can an L-1 visa holder stay in the United States?


An L-1 visa holder can stay in the United States for up to seven years. The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals with specialized knowledge of their company’s products or services to work in the US. L-1 visa holders may also qualify for a green card.

11. What are the fees associated with applying for U.S. citizenship or an L-1 visa?


The fees associated with applying for U.S. citizenship or an L-1 visa vary depending on the type of application and the individual’s specific circumstances. The fee for U.S. citizenship is $725 and the fee for the L-1 visa is $460. Additional fees may apply, such as the biometric fee, which is $85.

12. How long does it typically take to obtain U.S. citizenship or an L-1 visa?


The typical processing time for U.S. citizenship is 6 months to a year, but the exact timeline varies by individual situation. The processing time for an L-1 visa depends on the type of visa and specific situation, but typically takes about 2-3 months.

13. Is there a language requirement to become a U.S. citizen?


Yes, English-language fluency is required for U.S. citizenship. Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak basic English in order to become a naturalized citizen.

14. Can I adjust my status from a nonimmigrant visa to a permanent resident card (green card) while on an L-1 visa?


Yes, you can adjust your status from a nonimmigrant visa to a permanent resident card (green card) while on an L-1 visa. You must file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). The USCIS will review your application and if approved, you will be granted permanent resident status.

15. Can I work in the United States on an L-1 visa?


Yes, you can work in the United States on an L-1 visa. The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals who have been employed for at least one year in the last three years to transfer to a U.S. company that is related to their foreign employer. The purpose of the L-1 visa is to allow companies to transfer their employees temporarily to the United States in order to fill managerial or executive positions.

16. Are there any restrictions on travel while on an L-1 visa?


Yes, there are some restrictions on travel while on an L-1 visa. Generally, L-1 visa holders may not remain outside the United States for more than one year without obtaining an extension of stay. Additionally, traveling outside of the United States for an extended period of time can result in a break in continuity of the L-1 status. The visa holder must return to the United States to regain their status and be able to continue working. Also, the L-1 visa holder must maintain their permanent residence abroad in order to maintain their L-1 status.

17. Does being married to a U.S citizen make it easier to obtain U.S citizenship?


Yes. Marriage to a U.S citizen may make it easier to obtain U.S citizenship through the marriage green card process. The foreign spouse of a U.S citizen may be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa and, if granted, can adjust their status to become a U.S citizen after a period of three years or less.

18. Are dual citizenships (U.S and another country) allowed under U.S law?


Yes, dual citizenships (also known as dual nationality) are allowed under U.S law. However, some countries do not recognize dual citizenships, and some requirements must be met in order to obtain dual citizenship.

19. Is there a minimum age requirement to apply for U.S citizenship through naturalization?


Yes, there is a minimum age requirement to apply for U.S citizenship through naturalization. To be eligible to apply for U.S citizenship through naturalization, an applicant must be at least 18 years old.

20. Can I apply for an extension of my L-1 visa if I am working in the United States under this status?


Yes, you can apply for an extension of your L-1 visa. To do so, you must submit Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, along with the required fees and supporting documents to the USCIS. You may also need to submit additional forms if you have changed employers or if you are changing the purpose of your stay in the United States.