L1 Visa Attorneys: Intra-Company Transfer Visa for Executives and Managers
The L1 Visa allows multinational companies to transfer qualified executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge from a foreign office to a U.S. branch, affiliate, or subsidiary. If you are a business owner or executive planning to expand to the U.S., the L1 Visa can be your gateway to making it happen.
What is the L1 Visa?
The L1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa designed for employees of international companies seeking to work in the U.S. temporarily. It is available in two categories:
- L1A Visa: For executives and managers.
- L1B Visa: For professionals with specialized knowledge.
This visa supports companies expanding to the U.S. or those with established U.S. offices needing to transfer key personnel. It also creates a direct path to the EB1-C green card for certain L1A holders.
L1 Visa Requirements
To qualify for the L1 Visa, both the U.S. employer and the employee must meet specific criteria:
Company Requirements
- Must have a qualifying relationship (parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary) with the foreign company.
- Must be doing business in the U.S. and at least one other country.
- For new offices: must show the ability to support an executive or manager within one year.
Employee Requirements
- Must have worked for the foreign company for at least 1 continuous year within the past 3 years.
- Must be entering the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge position.
Types of L1 Visas
L1A Visa – Executives and Managers
Ideal for business owners or high-level personnel. The L1A visa allows individuals to oversee operations, manage departments, or direct the organization. It can be issued for up to 1 year for a new U.S. office, with extensions up to 7 years.
L1B Visa – Specialized Knowledge Employees
Intended for staff with advanced knowledge of the company’s products, services, or procedures. This category is valid for up to 5 years and is not eligible for EB1-C, unlike the L1A.
L1 Visa for New Offices in the U.S.
If your company is expanding to the U.S., the L1 Visa is the most efficient way to transfer key personnel to launch operations. USCIS will require a solid business plan, physical office space, and proof of future viability.
Blanket L1 Visa Petitions
A blanket petition streamlines the process for large companies to transfer multiple employees under the L1 classification. It’s suitable for businesses with:
- At least three domestic and foreign branches.
- Over 1,000 employees or $25 million in annual sales.
- At least 10 L1 approvals in the past 12 months.
L1 Visa to Green Card: EB1-C Pathway
L1A visa holders may qualify for a green card under the EB1-C category without going through PERM labor certification. This is ideal for executives or managers with long-term plans to live and work in the U.S. permanently.
L1 Visa vs. E2 Visa
L1 Visa | E2 Visa |
Requires qualifying company | Requires investment in a U.S. business |
Open to any nationality | Only treaty countries |
Path to green card available | No direct path to green card |
How Our L1 Visa Attorneys Can Help
Navigating the L1 Visa process can be complex. Our experienced L1 Visa attorneys assist with:
- Determining eligibility and best visa category.
- Preparing documentation and filing the petition.
- Developing supporting business plans for new U.S. offices.
- Responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
- Exploring green card options through EB1-C.
We offer strategic legal support to multinational executives and entrepreneurs expanding into the U.S.
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Why Choose Immigration Universe Attorneys?
At Immigration Universe Attorneys, we focus on providing tailored immigration solutions for business owners, investors, and executives. With years of experience in employment-based visas, we deliver:
- Personalized attention to your case.
- Clear legal strategy from day one.
- Support in both English and Spanish.
Ready to bring your business to the U.S.? Let us guide your next move.
The L1A visa beneficiary must:
- have worked for the parent company abroad for a consecutive period of at least one year during the last three years.
- have worked as an executive, a manager, or employee with specialized knowledge
- must be coming to the U.S. to supervise other professional or managerial staff and/or direct and control the day-to-day operations.
The L1B visa beneficiary must:
- must have been employed by the parent company for at least one year during the last three years.
- must be coming to the U.S. to work for the subsidiary business.
It is generally harder to come to the U.S. with an L1B specialized knowledge visa. You must be familiar with the parent company’s specific products, procedures, or methods to qualify for the L1B visa.
However, if you work abroad as an employee with specialized knowledge, you may qualify for an L1A visa instead. If you worked as a Manager or Executive, you could apply for an L1B visa if the subsidiary has been in business for at least one year.
The L1A visa for owners, executives, and managers lasts 7 years. If the transfer to the U.S. involves opening the subsidiary, the initial stay is only one year. L1A visa holders can apply to extend the L1A visa before its expiration. The maximum an initial stay can be granted is 3-years with subsequent 2-year extensions. The L1B visa for employees with specialized knowledge lasts 5 years.
If you are an L1 visa holder, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may come to the United States with you. These family members may seek admission under the L2 nonimmigrant classification. If approved, they are generally granted the same period of stay as you.
Yes. After arriving in the United States, your spouse must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765) with USCIS and pay the applicable fees.
The law does not define a minimum amount that the parent company must invest in the United States. However, that amount must be enough to operate a real business that is large enough to require an executive or manager that will oversee the operation and manage several employees. Generally, the subsidiary must create several jobs to move the business ahead, and the L1A visa holder will supervise those employees. The minimum investment also depends on the geographical location and nature of the business.
The new business in the United States generally requires at least 7-10 employees in addition to the L1 visa holder. However, each business is different and requires individual consideration.
To apply for an L1 visa, you must submit a complete petition package with form I-129 plus the applicable fee to USCIS. Once the case is approved, you will go through a consular process. The consular process requires the applicant to appear for the visa interview at the American Consulate or Embassy abroad. Once the visa is approved, you and your dependents will receive the visa stamp on your passports. The visa allows you and your family to enter the United States as L1 and L2 visa holders.
You can also apply for a change of status if you are in the United States with another nonimmigrant status.
Yes. The parent company that is abroad must remain open and doing business to support its business in the United States.
Yes. Premium processing is available for nonimmigrant workers using Form I-907. The form and the appropriate fees are required in the petition package. The request for premium processing service provides the petitioner with a quick response from USCIS. Usually, a decision or request for more evidence us received in about 15 days from the submission of the petition to USCIS.
Yes. L1 visa is a dual intent visa. Dual intent means the intent is immigrant and non-immigrant. L1A visa holders start as non-immigrant and can later on, apply for a green card (immigrant) under the EB1-C category for a multinational managers or executives. L1B visa holders must go through a Labor Certification Process (PERM) to qualify for a green card.
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Our L1 Visa attorneys are here to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re opening a new U.S. branch or transferring executives to an existing office, we make the process efficient and stress-free.