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Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Overview of Comparison of L1 and H1B Visa-Advantages

Many a times employers in the US require professionals to work for them on temporary basis who are qualified in their respective fields.  Both L1 and H1B are non immigrant visas much sought after for employers who want to hire qualified professionals from overseas.  


Certain permits, such as L1 and H1B, are introduced to ensure fast service, and to avoid any unnecessary delay in official activity. The main difference between these is that while the L1 Visa allows trained manpower working with an MNC with office in the US and abroad to come and work in the US office, for a short period of time; the H1B Visa is for temporary skilled workers and provided for the special skilled professionals.

When a Comparison is made between the two, both the categories have different sets of advantages.Citizens of all the countries are eligible to apply for these visas. Both H-1B and L-1 allow the main applicant to bring his family members along with him.


H1B Visa requires Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor (DOL)

The major advantage between the L1 and H1B visa is that the latter requires the Labor Condition Application (LCA) issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) whereas the former does not has any such requirement.Instead the L1 employers have to submit the documents verifying that both the business entity overseas and the business entity in the US are qualifying entities.


Validity Duration

The L1 visa is a dual intent visa and initially issued for one year with a possibility of further extension up to seven years.The spouse of L-1 visa holder is eligible to apply for US work permit upon landing in the United States.On the other hand, the H1B is also dual intent visa initially issued for three years and can be extended up to six years, and it does not permit the spouse to obtain work authorization up to certain years as only certain H-4 dependent visa holders (H-1B AC 21 beneficiary’s dependents) are eligible to apply for EAD ( Employment Authorization Document) .

Employer Attestation Not Required

Most applicants find the H1 B Visa more attractive which can be easily extended beyond six years whereas the L1 Visa has more advantages.  Under L-1, it’s not mandatory for candidates to prove that qualified skilled workers are not available in the States whereas under the H1B dependent business personals must make an attestation regarding the same on the Labor Condition Application (LCA).

Big Cooperate House May Easily Use Blanket Petition

Big cooperate houses with regular transfer of employees between the US office and offices overseas may take the advantage of the blanket L Visa option.The before stated option makes the complete process smooth where as the H1B does not give any such liberty.

No Prevailing Wage Requirement: L1 Visa

One of the major key features of the L1 Category is that the applicant need not have a pre-determined wage requirement.But H1B visa requires that the vacant position should be filled at the pre-determined prevailing wage or the actual wage--whichever of the two is higher.

Conclusion

Both the permits are viable visa options and of equal importance.Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.Both are temporary work visas with the option of applying for American Green Card without disturbing the prevailing visa status.

For help and information on Visas immigration or any other query, fill this free assessment form http://goo.gl/forms/LLUYligDbL or send resume at ashutosh@abhinav.com


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