An L1 is an inter-company transfer visa. A US company can hire you in Europe and then transfer you to its US location/office under an L1 visa. This assumes the

An L1 is an inter-company transfer visa. A US company can hire you in Europe and then transfer you to its US location/office under an L1 visa. This assumes the goodwill of your employer to apply on your behalf, but if you are getting/got a PhD, and have some supervisory responsibility, you'll probably qualify and the personnel folks will know the process. Ultimately, though, it's up to them. YMMV.