In a prior newsletter, we discussed the proper use of the B-1 business visa and the importance of distinguishing permissible business activities from unauthorized employment in the United States. At that time, B-1 did not allow foreign technical personnel to enter the United States for the primary purpose of training U.S.-based workers. The U.S. Department of State has now introduced a new B-1 classification for certain “Specialized Trainers.” This update may be relevant to e

The L-1B visa is a vital tool for transferring "Key Personnel" who possess proprietary, specialized knowledge essential to a company’s U.S. operations. It is important to demonstrate that the irreplaceable value of these experienced technical experts, proving that specialized expertise is often more critical than formal academic degrees. The Profile Our client is an Asian manufacturing company that recently established a new production facility in the United States. To begi

A Recent Case A foreign national holding a B-1/B-2 visa stayed in the U.S. for six months and lawfully extended their stay for another six months, spending a full year in the U.S. Twelve months after the departure, the same individual attempted to re-enter the U.S. However, he was not afforded an opportunity to explain the circumstances regarding the prior stay. U.S. Customs and Border Protection summarily revoked the B visa and ordered expedited removal. The individual was r

While many believe an L-1A visa requires managing a large team, the "Functional Manager" category allows senior leaders to qualify by overseeing a critical business function rather than a high headcount. This specialized category is designed for senior leaders who oversee a core, essential function of the business, often Finance, Legal, R&D, or Market Strategy, rather than a direct staff of professional employees. The Profile Our client is a prominent manufacturing enterpri

In recent months, we've seen U.S. immigration enforcement place more emphasis on worksite compliance, particularly around Form I-9 audits and surprise visits from ICE. For many employers, especially those newer to the U.S. system, these events can escalate quickly and catch teams unprepared. Whether triggered by routine audits, employee complaints, or suspected unauthorized hiring, actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can disrupt business operations

With rising tariffs, shifting demand, and a push for diversified supply chains, a growing number of companies are reassessing their international strategies. Especially for manufacturers, setting up overseas is just the start — moving key personnel legally and efficiently is often the real challenge. The L-1 visa plays a central role in making that possible. The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant work visa category established by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spec

In November, USCIS published a policy memorandum clarifying details about the L-1 application requirement which states that a qualifying organization must have employed a principal L-1 beneficiary abroad for 1 continuous year out of the 3 years before the filing of the petition. The details include clarifications about how the year is counted, what causes adjustments to the three-year period of reference, and what does or does not interrupt the continuous year. The relevant p