INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREES (L NONIMMIGRANTS).

SEC. 206. INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREES (L NONIMMIGRANTS). (a) Clarification of Treatment of Certain International Accounting Firms.— In applying sections 101(a)(15)(L) and 203(b)(1)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, in the case of a partnership that is organized in the United States to provide accounting services and that markets its accounting services under an internationally recognized name under an agreement with a worldwide coordinating organization that is owned and controlled104 STAT. 5023 by the member accounting firms, a partnership (or similar organization) that is organized outside the United States to provide accounting services shall be considered to be an affiliate of the United States partnership if it markets its accounting services under the same internationally recognized name under the agreement with the worldwide coordinating organization of which the United States partnership is also a member. (b) Use of Blanket Petitions; Deadlines for Processing; Periods of Authorized Stay; Construction.— Section 214(c) (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)) is amended— (1) by inserting “(1)” after “(c)”, and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: “(2) (A) The Attorney General shall provide for a procedure under which an importing employer which meets requirements established by the Attorney General may file a blanket petition to import aliens as nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(L) instead of filing individuals petitions under paragraph (1) to import such aliens. Such procedure shall permit the expedited processing of visas for entry of aliens covered under such a petition. “(B) For purposes of section 101(a)(15)(L), an alien is considered to be serving in a capacity involving specialized knowledge with respect to a company if the alien has a special knowledge of the company product and its application in international markets or has an advanced level of knowledge of processes and procedures of the company. “(C) The Attorney General shall provide a process for reviewing and acting upon petitions under this subsection with respect to nonimmigrants described in section 101(a)(15)(L) within 30 days after the date a completed petition has been filed. “(D) The period of authorized admission for— “(i) a nonimmigrant admitted to render services in a managerial or executive capacity under section 101(a)(15)(L) shall not exceed 7 years, or “(ii) a nonimmigrant admitted to render services in a capacity that involved specialized knowledge under section 101(a)(15)( L) shall not exceed 5 years.”. (c) Period of Prior Employment with Company.— Section 101(a)(15)(L) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(L)) is amended by striking “immediately preceding” and inserting “within 3 years preceding”.