Case Study

Background:
Our firm was engaged by a Bangalore-based company specializing in advanced medical testing, particularly in cancer diagnostics. The company had established a state-of-the-art laboratory in the United States to conduct specialized testing, including DNA analysis, biopsy evaluations, and other disease-related diagnostics. Given the high demand for such testing within the U.S. and the impracticality of sending biological samples to India due to limited viability, the company set up a dedicated facility in the U.S.

Challenges Faced:

1. COVID-19 Travel and Immigration Restrictions: The pandemic led to significant travel and visa processing delays, complicating the transfer of key personnel from India to the U.S.
2. New Business Entity in the U.S.: As the lab was newly established, demonstrating operational viability and the necessity for transferring executives and specialized personnel was crucial.
3. Specialized Workforce Requirements: The company required L1 visas for highly skilled professionals, including laboratory directors, researchers, and operations managers, to ensure smooth functioning and regulatory compliance in the U.S.

Legal Strategy and Process:

1. L1 Visa Applications: We worked closely with the parent company in Bangalore to facilitate L1A and L1B visa applications for key managerial and specialized knowledge personnel, ensuring a strong case for their eligibility.
2. Demonstrating Business Necessity: Our firm meticulously documented the company’s expansion, highlighting the essential need for transferring specialized personnel to maintain lab operations in compliance with U.S. standards.
3. Navigating COVID-19 Delays: We proactively addressed travel restrictions and immigration processing slowdowns by leveraging expedited processing options and providing additional justifications for urgent approvals.
4. Successful Approvals: Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we successfully secured multiple L1 visa approvals, enabling the company to establish and scale its U.S. operations efficiently.

Outcome:
The approvals allowed the company to fully staff and operationalize its U.S. laboratory, ensuring uninterrupted diagnostic services for cancer and other critical diseases. This success not only strengthened the company’s international presence but also reinforced the role of specialized medical labs in addressing healthcare demands in the U.S.

Conclusion:
This case underscores the importance of strategic legal guidance in securing L1 visas for business expansions, particularly in specialized industries such as medical diagnostics. Despite pandemic-related hurdles, our firm’s expertise enabled seamless immigration processing, ensuring the client’s business objectives were met successful