Can an NGO have L-1 for directors?

The L-1 visa was created to facilitate the transfer of executives, directors, or professionals with specialized knowledge between entities of the same company operating outside and inside the United States. This category aims to serve multinational companies that have corporate relationships among their branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates.

When it comes to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the issue fundamentally depends on the institution’s organizational structure. For an NGO to use the L-1 to transfer directors to a unit in the United States, it is necessary that it maintains a clear and qualified corporate relationship between its foreign entity and the U.S. unit. In other words, there must be a connection that meets the criteria established by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such as the structure of a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. Without this structure, the use of the L-1 visa may not be appropriate, since the benefit specifically aims at the internal movement of executives or specialized knowledge workers within the same multinational organization.

In general, if an NGO has an organizational structure designed to have mutual control and legal linkage between the entities outside and inside the United States, in theory, it may be possible to qualify directors for the L-1A, which is the category aimed at executives and managers. However, each case must be analyzed individually, as the evidence of ties between the structures is fundamental for visa approval.

It is important to emphasize that the U.S. immigration process follows strict criteria, and compliance with the laws is essential to avoid future problems. It is recommended that, when considering this possibility, the NGO seek guidance from immigration experts and consult official sources, so as to avoid falling into offers or marketing campaigns promising results without proper legal support.

Always remember the importance of following established regulations and seeking updated information to ensure the best progress of the process.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.