L-1 Visa Guide for Bangladeshi Professionals and Companies

L-1 Visa Guide for Bangladeshi Professionals and Companies

In today’s global economy, U.S. immigration options like the L-1 visa play a pivotal role for multinational companies and their key employees. At TRW Law Firm, we regularly assist Bangladeshi businesses and professionals in navigating the complex U.S. immigration landscape. Among the most common queries we receive is whether the L-1 visa is lottery-based, how it compares to the H-1B visa, and what specific benefits it offers.

This article consolidates essential information to help Bangladeshi companies, executives, and skilled professionals understand and make strategic use of the L-1 intracompany transfer visa.

🟩 Is the L-1 Visa Lottery-Based?

No, the L-1 visa is not lottery-based.

Unlike the H-1B visa, which operates under an annual cap of 85,000 visas and a highly competitive lottery system, the L-1 visa has no such numerical limit. This means:

🟩 If an applicant meets the eligibility criteria
🟩 The employer demonstrates a qualifying relationship
🟩 All required documentation is provided

→ Then the L-1 visa can be approved without needing to win a lottery.

✅ What This Means for Bangladeshi Companies:

• You can strategically plan for staff relocation without uncertainty.
• You avoid the seasonal constraints of the H-1B lottery cycle (which usually opens in April).
• You can establish new offices in the U.S. and transfer key personnel immediately.

TRW Law Firm assists clients in properly structuring their L-1 visa petitions to meet all eligibility criteria from the outset—minimizing delays and increasing approval rates.

🟩 Is the L-1 Visa Better Than the H-1B Visa?

This question does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. The right visa depends on the specific profile of the applicant, the employer’s structure, and the nature of the intended role in the United States.

Here’s a comparative look:

🔍 When L-1 Might Be Better:

• You work for a multinational company with a U.S. office or are planning to open one.
• You are in a managerial or executive role, or have specialized knowledge.
• You want to avoid the uncertainty of the H-1B lottery.
• Your spouse wants to work in the U.S.

🔍 When H-1B Might Be Better:

• You are an independent professional with no prior affiliation with a multinational.
• You want more job mobility in the U.S. market.
• Your employer is a U.S.-based company with no foreign presence.

At TRW Law Firm, we help Bangladeshi professionals choose the right path between L-1 and H-1B based on long-term immigration goals, family considerations, and career ambitions.

🟩 What Are the Benefits of the L-1 Visa?

The L-1 visa offers a wide range of benefits for both employers and employees, especially those in Bangladesh’s growing corporate sector looking to enter or expand in the United States.

🟩 Key Benefits for Applicants:

🟢 No Lottery or Cap
Applicants are not subject to the unpredictability of a visa lottery. If you qualify, you get approved.

🟢 Work Authorization for Spouses
L-2 spouses can apply for work authorization (EAD), allowing them to work without any industry or location restrictions.

🟢 Path to Green Card
L-1A visa holders (executives/managers) can apply for permanent residency via the EB-1C category, which does not require labor certification (PERM)—a time-consuming step in the H-1B route.

🟢 Quicker Processing
With premium processing, L-1 petitions can be adjudicated in as little as 15 calendar days.

🟩 Key Benefits for Employers:

🟢 Seamless Internal Mobility
Easily relocate key employees from Bangladesh to the U.S. without waiting for H-1B lottery windows.

🟢 Start New U.S. Offices
If your company is launching a new subsidiary or branch in the U.S., the L-1 visa allows you to send founding personnel to set up operations.

🟢 Multiple Roles Supported
Whether it’s executives, managers, or specialists, the L-1 visa has variants (L-1A and L-1B) that cater to different operational needs.

🟢 Business Continuity
Transfer trusted personnel to U.S. operations who are already familiar with the company’s structure and values—minimizing onboarding costs.

🟩 How Long Can You Stay in the U.S. on an L-1 Visa?

The duration of stay under an L-1 visa depends on the type of visa issued and whether the applicant is working in a new U.S. office or an existing one.

🟢 Initial Stay:

• New Office: 1 year (L-1A or L-1B)
• Established Office: 3 years

🟢 Maximum Stay Allowed:

• L-1A (Managers & Executives): Up to 7 years
• L-1B (Specialized Knowledge Employees): Up to 5 years

Extensions are typically granted in two-year increments, provided the individual continues to meet eligibility requirements and the company maintains its qualifying relationship.

🟩 Why Choose TRW Law Firm for Your L-1 Visa Application?

Whether you’re a C-suite executive in Dhaka, a mid-level manager in Chattogram, or a growing startup owner looking to expand into the U.S., TRW Law Firm offers tailored legal strategies to maximize your success.

✅ What We Offer:

• Full evaluation of L-1 or H-1B suitability
• Structuring new U.S. entities for L-1 new office compliance
• Drafting and filing comprehensive USCIS petitions
• Preparing employer support letters, business plans, and organizational charts
• Handling premium processing filings and extension documentation
• Guiding you through Green Card transition (EB-1C)

We pride ourselves in being Bangladesh’s most forward-thinking, efficient, and globally-connected immigration law firm.

🟩 Final Thoughts

The L-1 visa offers a lottery-free, cap-exempt, and business-friendly pathway for Bangladeshi professionals and companies seeking to grow their footprint in the U.S. With the added benefit of dependent spouse work rights, Green Card eligibility, and flexibility for various corporate roles, the L-1 visa stands as a robust and attractive option.

TRW Law Firm is committed to making global mobility possible for Bangladeshi talents and corporations. If you’re ready to build your future in the United States, we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.

🟩 Contact TRW Law Firm Today

Let our immigration team handle the complexities—so you can focus on your business, your family, and your future.

📍 Head Office:
TRW Law Firm
House 410, Road 29, Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka
📞 +8801708000660 | +8801847220062 | +8801708080817
📧 info@trfirm.com | info@trwbd.com | info@tahmidur.com
🌐 www.tahmidurrahman.com

🟩 Quick Summary Table: L-1 Visa Essentials