L-1 Visa – Intra-Company Transfer to the United States
The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa that allows foreign companies to transfer employees to their affiliated U.S. offices. It is ideal for multinational businesses looking to relocate managers, executives, or employees with specialized knowledge to the U.S. for a temporary period.
There are two subcategories of the L-1 visa:
- L-1A for Managers and Executives
- L-1B for Employees with Specialized Knowledge
L-1A Visa – For Executives and Managers
The L-1A visa is for high-level employees such as managers and executives being transferred from a foreign office to a U.S. branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate. This visa is also commonly used by companies planning to open a new U.S. office.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must have worked full-time for the company outside the U.S. for at least 1 continuous year within the past 3 years
- The applicant must be transferring to the U.S. to serve in a managerial or executive capacity
- The U.S. and foreign companies must have a qualifying corporate relationship
Key Features:
- Valid for up to 1 year for new offices, and up to 3 years for existing offices, extendable to a maximum of 7 years
- Allows for a direct path to a green card under the EB-1C immigrant visa category
- Dependents (spouse and children under 21) are eligible for L-2 visas, and spouses may apply for work authorization
L-1B Visa – For Specialized Knowledge Employees
The L-1B visa is designed for employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, systems, procedures, or proprietary processes. It enables companies to move key technical personnel to their U.S. operations.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must have worked at least 1 year in the past 3 years for the foreign company
- The role in the U.S. must require specialized knowledge that is not commonly found in the labor market
- The foreign and U.S. companies must be affiliated entities (parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate)
Key Features:
- Valid for up to 3 years, extendable to a maximum of 5 years
- Not eligible for direct green card through EB-1C (unlike L-1A)
- L-2 dependents allowed; spouses can apply for work authorization
Documents Required for L-1A and L-1B Petitions:
- Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker)
- Letter of support from employer detailing the role and relationship between the companies
- Proof of employment abroad and current organizational chart
- Resume and educational/professional certificates
- Company documents showing the relationship between U.S. and foreign entities
Advantages of the L-1 Visa:
- No annual quota like H-1B (no lottery)
- Option to open a new U.S. office
- Dual intent allowed (can pursue green card while on L-1 visa)
- Premium processing available
Need Help With Your L-1A or L-1B Visa?
At Exitbase, we assist multinational companies and professionals with end-to-end L-1 visa services. Whether you’re expanding into the U.S. or transferring a key employee, our
immigration consultants ensure your petition meets USCIS standards and is filed correctly the
first time.
