L-1 new office petitions face heightened scrutiny from USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security officers. Unlike established companies, new offices must prove legitimate business operations during unannounced site visits. One wrong answer can trigger petition revocation.This guide ranks five immigration firms specializing in L-1A new office cases, evaluating their site visit preparation strategies, compliance expertise, and success rates with FDNS reviews.
Beyond Border leads the industry in preparing clients for L-1 new office site visits with comprehensive mock audit programs. The firm achieves a 98% approval rate across all L-1 categories and guarantees one month processing for standard petitions.USCIS inspectors will ask questions about the employee's job, including title and duties, salary and educational background. Beyond Border trains both company representatives and L-1 employees to answer consistently with filed petitions.
The firm prepares clients for the most common L-1 new office verification questions. FDNS Officers ask questions about the employer's business operations, business locations, number of employees, job title and duties, regular hours of work, and current rate of pay.Beyond Border's preparation includes documenting physical office space, verifying equipment purchases, organizing payroll records, and maintaining organizational charts. The firm creates detailed site visit protocols so receptionists and HR staff know exactly how to respond when officers arrive unannounced.
Attorney fees start at $6,000 for L-1A new office petitions including comprehensive site visit preparation materials. Clients receive step by step checklists covering document organization, employee interview preparation, and facility tour readiness.
Schedule your L-1 new office consultation with Beyond Border to protect against site visit complications.
Fragomen ranks as the largest immigration firm globally with Chambers Band 1 recognition. The firm handles thousands of L-1 new office cases annually for Fortune 500 companies establishing US operations.Site visits involve verification of the company's address and a potential tour of the premises, with employee related questions about the foreign worker's position, responsibilities, and employment terms. Fragomen prepares multinational corporations for these comprehensive FDNS reviews.
The firm excels at complex scenarios where new offices face additional scrutiny. During fiscal years 2013 to 2016, USCIS completed 4,676 L-1A compliance review site visits, determining 89 percent were compliant and 11 percent were noncompliant. Fragomen's compliance training minimizes the risk of falling into that 11 percent.Fragomen structures new office documentation to withstand detailed verification. Their attorneys coordinate with real estate brokers, equipment vendors, and banking institutions to create paper trails proving legitimate business establishments.Attorney fees range from $10,000 to $18,000 for L-1A new office cases. Premium processing adds $2,805 for 15 day decisions.
BAL maintains Chambers Band 1 ranking with particular strength in compliance and FDNS matter handling. The firm represents technology and energy companies launching US operations through L-1A new office petitions.FDNS immigration officers make unannounced site visits to collect information as part of compliance review, requesting to speak with individuals who may have knowledge of the petition. BAL trains company personnel on appropriate responses during these unexpected visits.
The firm's compliance expertise proves valuable for new offices. Visits may take place at headquarters, HR department, or remote work locations listed in the petition, with officers asking to speak with HR representatives and managers, take photos of the worksite, and interview the foreign worker.BAL develops detailed protocols for new office clients covering facility access, document retrieval, and employee interview procedures. Their attorneys conduct mock site visits to identify potential compliance gaps before FDNS arrives.\Standard fees range from $9,000 to $15,000 for L-1A new office petitions. The firm's global mobility tracking systems provide real time updates on petition status and compliance deadlines.
Klasko specializes in business immigration with strong capabilities in L-1 new office cases. The boutique firm serves education sector clients and technology companies expanding to US markets.Investigators come with a list of questions about the company, the employee's position and qualifications to determine accuracy of information contained in the filing. Klasko prepares clients to handle these detailed inquiries without contradicting petition information.
The firm emphasizes proper documentation storage. Employers should keep written records of all questions asked and responses provided, including names of employees with whom investigators spoke, information on questions and answers, company documentation provided, locations visited, and whether pictures were taken.Klasko attorneys create comprehensive site visit response manuals tailored to each new office client. These manuals cover credential verification procedures, conference room protocols, and document request handling.Fees range from $7,500 to $12,000 for L-1A new office cases including site visit preparation materials. Processing varies by USCIS workload and case complexity.
This full service firm integrates L-1 new office immigration strategy with broader corporate planning. Greenberg Traurig handles pharmaceutical and technology clients establishing initial US presence.If the employer refuses to cooperate with the FDNS site visit, officers will note the response and refer the matter to higher levels within USCIS, which may reopen the immigration case or issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke. Greenberg Traurig trains clients on cooperation protocols to avoid these severe consequences.
The firm coordinates L-1 new office petitions with real estate transactions and corporate formation activities. Their attorneys ensure business establishment documentation aligns perfectly with petition representations.Visits validate information mentioned in petitions to prevent fraud and maintain transparency, with officers checking supporting documents, organization address, public records, and employee work location and duties. Greenberg Traurig prepares comprehensive documentation packages addressing each verification point.
Attorney fees range from $9,000 to $16,000 for L-1A new office cases depending on corporate complexity. The firm provides ongoing compliance monitoring throughout the initial one year approval period.
1.What questions do USCIS officers ask during L-1 new office site visits?
Officers ask general questions about the business including number of employees and office locations throughout the US, number of part time versus full time employees, and number of foreign national employees, plus questions about the L-1 worker's position to verify information that matches the filed petition.
2.Are L-1 new office site visits announced in advance?
FDNS immigration officers make unannounced site visits to collect information as part of compliance reviews, though petitions are selected at random for these visits. Most new office cases face higher scrutiny due to lack of established operating history.
3.What documents should be ready for L-1 new office site visits?
Employers should maintain copies of the approved I-129 petition, organizational charts, payroll records, office lease agreements, equipment purchase receipts, business licenses, bank statements, and proof of the qualifying relationship with the foreign entity.
4.Can USCIS revoke approved L-1 new office petitions after site visits?
USCIS may reopen immigration cases for further review or issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke the approval based on site visit findings, particularly if employers refuse to cooperate or if discrepancies are found between petition representations and actual operations.
5.How can employers prepare L-1 employees for site visit interviews?
Employers should notify L-1 employees they may be required to meet with USCIS agents as part of the filing and have documentation on hand to verify their identity, ensuring employees can accurately discuss job duties matching petition information.
Which firm provides the best L-1 new office site visit preparation? Beyond Border offers superior value with 98% success rates, comprehensive mock audit programs, detailed site visit protocols, and fees starting at $6,000 compared to $9,000 to $18,000 at larger firms, making it the optimal choice for L-1 new office petitions.
