Is a Graduate Trainee Program eligible for a L1 visa?

[LK3]

Hi

 

- I will be moving to the US office in April 2015 for a 9 month assignment from my company located in Switzerland (Same company, different offices)

 

- I am in a 2.5 year graduate trainee program and from visa definitions I see that I might be eligible for a J1 or a H3 visa.

 

- However, I am neither an exchange student / summer trainee nor an intern (already had a J1 visa when I was a student a while ago). The program is designed for a functional expertise within the company with leadership development for less experienced professionals.

 

- My question now is - will I be eligible for a L1 visa? I qualify all the requirements for the special knowledge category (L1B visa) and have been working for more than 1 year with the company. However, my contract says it is a trainee program with a defined end. (Permanent contract with the home company but only 9 months for the US office)

 

- Will this be a hurdle for applying for the L1B visa? I wish to continue working full time for the US office after the 9 months. If I apply for the H3 visa, which seems as the next option, I will have to go back to my home employer for atleast 6 months and only then apply for a L1B visa.

 

I did not find sufficient info regarding this. Kindly let me know the options I have here.

 

 

 

Best regards

LK3

[jairichi]

An L1 visa has to be filed by an employer. Ask them so that they would get an opinion for you from their immigration team.