According to a report published by the National Foundation for American
Policy, the number of L-1 visas issued at U.S. posts in India has
declined by 28 percent over the past year. The published data show that
approvals for L-1 visas in India dropped from 35,896 in Fiscal Year 2010
to 25,898 in Fiscal Year 2011. This is a drop of roughly 10,000 visas.
While L-1 visa rates dropped in India, the rates in other areas of the
world rose by about 15 percent.
The L-1 visa is an essential method by which companies move employees
around the world. The visa enables U.S. companies to transfer
executives, managers and other personnel with specialized knowledge from
locations around the world to the United States to work. Beneficiaries
must have worked abroad for the company for at least one continuous year
within a three-year period before the petition was filed. Additionally,
executives and managers are limited to a seven-year period of stay in
the U.S. and other individuals with specialized knowledge are limited to
a five-year period of stay.
