L-1 Intracompany Transferee
Transfer Executives, Managers & Specialists to Your U.S. Office.
The L-1 visa enables qualified employees of a foreign affiliate to work for your U.S. entity. Choose L-1A for executives/managers or L-1B for specialized knowledge staff. New-office setups are possible with additional evidence.
Overview
L-1 permits multinational companies to relocate key staff to a U.S. branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary. It covers L-1A (executives/managers) and L-1B (specialized knowledge). A “new office” case allows launching a U.S. operation with a shorter initial grant.
Categories
L-1A Executive/Manager
Leads the organization or a major function; authority over goals, decisions, and personnel.
L-1B Specialized Knowledge
Possesses proprietary knowledge of products, services, research, systems, or procedures.
Eligibility
- Employee worked full-time for the foreign entity for at least 1 continuous year within the last 3 years.
- U.S. and foreign companies have a qualifying relationship (parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch).
- Role in the U.S. is executive/managerial (L-1A) or requires specialized knowledge (L-1B).
- Both entities are doing business during the L-1 period.
New Office Cases
For companies launching a U.S. operation:
- Secure physical premises (lease or evidence of dedicated space).
- Provide a realistic business plan showing staffing & viability within 1 year.
- L-1A initial validity is typically 1 year for new offices (then extensions).
Stay & Extensions
| Route | Initial Stay | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|
| L-1A (new office) | 1 year | Up to 7 years |
| L-1A (existing office) | 3 years | Up to 7 years |
| L-1B | 3 years | Up to 5 years |
Benefits & Notes
- Dual intent allowed; L-1A often leads to EB-1C green card.
- No PERM labor certification required.
- L-2 spouses can work; children can study.
- Premium Processing generally available for faster decisions.
Process Timeline
1) Assess & Document: Confirm qualifying relationship, gather corporate docs, job description, and evidence of prior employment.
2) File Petition: Employer files Form I-129 with L supplement; request Premium Processing if needed.
3) Visa/Admission: Consular visa (DS-160) or change of status in the U.S.; begin work upon approval and validity start.
4) Extend / Transition: File extensions with updated evidence; consider EB-1C (for L-1A) when eligible.
FAQ
Yes. L-1 is dual intent. L-1A managers/executives commonly transition to EB-1C without PERM.
Yes. L-2 spouses may work (EAD or as incident to status, per current policy).
Generally yes, for an additional USCIS fee.