Full Video Transcript
If you just look at the job title, Vice President of Product, you might think, “Oh, that’s an easy L1A case. Of course, that will be successful.” But you’d be deceived. This Vice President of Product had nothing to do with the U.S. That was the challenge in this case. Let me walk you through exactly what we did.
Hi everyone, my name is Joseph. I’m the Managing Partner here at Tsang & Associates, where we solve legal problems with creative solutions.
The legal problem in this case was that there were other applications before this one, and those cases made this one even harder. The way we structured this case was completely different from the earlier ones.
In one prior case, we focused on an executive’s extension and the many departments they managed.
In another, we focused on a single product and the team behind it.
But this case required a new approach.
Our client had been with the company for over a decade. He was there from the very beginning, helping to build the company and lead its global expansion. Even though the projects he personally worked on weren’t tied directly to U.S. operations, his leadership was essential to the company’s growth.
We created charts to show the company’s founding vision and its growth in three phases. We highlighted how the client contributed at each stage and how he helped execute the company’s strategy. Think of Tim Cook when he was working under Steve Jobs—he wasn’t just managing, he was shaping the company’s future.
We presented his achievements over the years to cement his credibility. Then, we tied his leadership to the future of global economics and the U.S. market. Even though there wasn’t yet a specific U.S. department for him to manage, the fact that he had guided the company since phase one proved he could lead its expansion in America.
Our argument was clear: in his role as Vice President, he wasn’t just an ordinary manager. He was part of casting the vision. He was transferring to the U.S. to philosophically lead, experiment, and push boundaries—something only strong, capable leaders can do.
And that’s how we secured this L1A approval. It was filed with premium processing, and there was no Request for Evidence. We had prepared for an RFE just in case, but it wasn’t needed.
This was one of the hardest cases, but it ended in success.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Take care.
When people hear the title Vice President of Product, they often assume an L1A approval will be easy. But in reality, the U.S. immigration system demands more than just a high-ranking title. That was the challenge our client faced.
This Vice President of Product had spent over a decade with his company, helping build its foundation and lead global expansion. However, his role did not directly involve U.S. operations. That gap raised concerns about whether his transfer would qualify under the strict L1A executive requirements.
The Legal Challenge
The client’s work history showed little direct U.S. involvement.
Previous L1A cases for the same company had already highlighted different aspects of leadership, making it harder to present something new.
USCIS could have easily questioned whether his responsibilities truly met the definition of executive leadership in the U.S. context.
Our Solution
Instead of focusing only on day-to-day job duties, we built the case around his visionary role in global expansion.
We created detailed charts showing the company’s growth in three phases and the client’s leadership in each stage.
We drew parallels to well-known tech leaders, such as Tim Cook during Apple’s early years, to demonstrate how long-term strategic leadership can shape a company’s direction.
We emphasized his ability to guide U.S. expansion, not through routine management, but by casting vision and driving innovation.
The Outcome
Thanks to this creative approach:
The case was approved with premium processing.
There was no Request for Evidence (RFE), even though we anticipated one.
Our client’s history with the company and his visionary leadership solidified his eligibility as an executive.
For our client, this wasn’t just another visa approval. It was a recognition of his decades of dedication and his ability to lead global initiatives. He was relieved, grateful, and excited to continue guiding his company into new markets.
Pro Tips
For executives with limited U.S. responsibilities, it’s critical to frame their leadership in terms of vision and strategy. USCIS recognizes that global companies need strong leaders who can guide expansion, even if they aren’t managing U.S. teams directly.
Do you have any immigration queastions? We’re here to help. You can book a 1h Consultation with one of our Attorneys here.