Blanket L Multinational Special Privileges

The Blanket L is a program that allows multinationals to transfer their employees to the U.S. from anywhere in the world using a streamlined method which allows the employees to obtain a work visa for three years with the option to extend indefinitely. It also allows for spouses of employees to obtain authorization to work legally in the U.S. as well as getting a social security number with all the benefits associated with it. The Blanket L makes it easier for key employees of multinationals and their families to make the move to the U.S. as well as obtaining permanent residence (green cards) for them and their families.

Requirements for the Foreign Company

A foreign company who wishes to transfer employees to the U.S. must meet the following minimum criteria:

1. Company qualifies for a Blanket L designation:
2. Have a combined sales of at least $25 million; OR
3. Have a U.S. workforce of at least 1,000 employees: OR
4. Have at least 10 approved L visas in the last 12 months.
5. Company must have at least three (3) or more domestic and foreign branches that are engaged in commercial trade or services;
6. Company must have been operating in their own country for at least one (1) year and must remain in operation at all times.

Requirements for Employees

The following groups of individuals are eligible to be transferred to the U.S. with an L Visa:

1. Owners: Sole owner or shareholder serving as executive capacity
2. Executives: President and Vice Presidents
3. Managers: General Managers, Sales Managers, Production Managers, Quality Managers and Middle Management
4. Specialized Skills: Employees who have a bachelor’s degree or post-secondary degree and three (3) years of experience.

Advantages

There are numerous advantages for multinationals to have an approved Blanket L. These advantages apply not only to the owners of the company but also to the employees being transferred. As the owners of the multinational companies, you are able to transfer employees to run your U.S. companies in your own way and to train Americans to work the way you want them to. In addition, you are able to send key employees such as Executives, Presidents and Vice Presidents to be your eyes and ears here in the states. You can rest easily knowing that your company is in the best of hands because you chose these people yourself.

Companies approved under the Blanket L will benefit from an 80% reduction in paperwork as well as reduced filing expenses which will save you a substantial amount of time and money. Transfer times for your employees are much quicker once you are approved for the Blanket L. Additionally; Blanket Ls may be easily amended to add new companies and subsidiaries that you acquire.

Employees who are being transferred to the U.S. will benefit from the Blanket L because they will be allowed to enter the country with fewer questions asked; they will be questioned only about their job duties in the United States and their personal admissibility (such as if they have a criminal record). Employees can easily be transferred from any company you own and can work for any of your companies or subsidiaries in the U.S. without filing a new petition every time they are transferred to another division and/or company in the U.S.

Spouses of L-1A and L-1B professionals can now obtain U.S. work authorization so that they can legally work in the U.S. and also obtain a U.S. social security number with all its benefits. In addition, executive and managerial employees and their families are considered first priority for permanent residence (green card). Since these employees are key to the success of the companies, they do not require the approval of the U.S. Department of Labor to determine that no Americans are willing or able to fill the position in the United States. They do not have to worry about losing their jobs to Americans because their jobs are secure and their families are secure knowing that they will be able to obtain permanent residence in the United States.