L-1 LAWYERS IN
CHARLESTON
Compare 7 verified L-1 immigration attorneys in Charleston, South Carolina. Find the right lawyer for your L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa case with transparent reviews and success rates.
L-1 Attorneys
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Why Hire a L-1 Lawyer in Charleston?
Charleston is home to 7 verified L-1 immigration attorneys with an average of 17 years of experience and a 93% average success rate. These attorneys collectively serve clients in 7 languages including English, Arabic, Italian, Russian and more. 1 attorney offers free initial consultations.
The L-1 intracompany transferee visa enables multinational companies to transfer key employees from foreign offices to US offices. The L-1A category covers executives and managers (valid up to 7 years), while L-1B covers employees with specialized knowledge of company products, services, or procedures (valid up to 5 years). The employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding the transfer. L-1 is valuable for companies establishing new US offices, as it allows key personnel to oversee the setup. Large companies may qualify for Blanket L petitions, streamlining the process for frequent transfers. L-1A holders have a direct path to the EB-1C green card without labor certification.
L-1 Process Overview
Qualifying Relationship Verification
1-2 weeksConfirm that the US and foreign entities have a qualifying relationship (parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch).
Document Preparation
3-6 weeksGather evidence of the employee's 1-year employment abroad and their executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge role.
Petition Filing
1-2 weeksEmployer files Form I-129 with USCIS along with supporting documentation. Blanket L petitions are available for qualifying companies.
USCIS Adjudication
15 days to 3-6 monthsUSCIS reviews the petition. Premium Processing provides a decision within 15 business days.
Visa Interview & Entry
2-4 weeksEmployee attends a consular interview and enters the US to begin working at the US entity.
Common Challenges
- •Proving the qualifying relationship between US and foreign entities
- •Demonstrating managerial or executive capacity (not just a title)
- •Meeting the "specialized knowledge" standard for L-1B
- •New office petitions face additional scrutiny on business viability
- •Renewal challenges if the US office has not grown as projected
Required Documents
- •Form I-129 with L Supplement
- •Proof of qualifying corporate relationship (organizational charts, ownership documents)
- •Evidence of 1-year employment abroad
- •Detailed job descriptions for both foreign and US positions
- •Company financial documents (tax returns, annual reports)
- •US office lease, business plan (for new office petitions)