How Vietnamese Companies Qualify for L-1 Visa: Legal Requirements + Strategic Planning Guide

Posted on April 05, 2026 by Warren Wen | Category: English

How Vietnamese Companies Qualify for L-1 Visa:
Legal Requirements + Strategic Planning Guide

 

Step 1 – Corporate Structure

To qualify for L-1, your Vietnamese company must establish a qualifying relationship with a U.S. entity:

  • Parent / Subsidiary
  • Affiliate
  • Joint venture (with control)

Strategic note:
Ownership structure must be carefully designed, not improvised.

 

Step 2 – U.S. Company Setup

Basic requirements:

  • Company registration (LLC or Corporation)
  • Business address (real office preferred)
  • Ownership structure
  • Management structure
  • Business plan

But today, USCIS expects:

  • Detailed business plan
  • Hiring timeline
  • Revenue projections
  • Market analysis

 

 

Step 3 – Employee Qualification

The key employee must:

  • Work for the Vietnamese company for 1 year in past 3 years
  • Serve in:
    • Executive / Managerial role (L-1A)
    • Specialized knowledge role (L-1B)

Strategic insight:
Title is irrelevant → actual job function matters

 

Step 4 – Timeline (Updated)

  • Premium processing: ~15 business days (initial decision)
  • Regular: several months (varies)
  • New office: typically 1-year initial approval

 

Step 5 – High-Risk Areas

  • New office cases
  • Small companies
  • Owner-operated businesses
  • Weak business plans

 

Strategic Advice (Your Differentiator)

Before applying, Vietnamese companies should decide:

  • Are we testing the U.S. market?
  • Or building a long-term presence?
  • Do we want a green card pathway?

Different answers → different L-1 strategy

This article is only for your reference. Please do not apply mechanically to any exact cases. You are welcome to consult our attorneys at Liu & Associates, P.C. For contact information, please click here.