L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from a foreign affiliate, subsidiary, or parent company to a U.S. office. It is available for managers and executives (L-1A) and employees with specialized knowledge (L-1B). It is also used to establish new U.S. offices for foreign companies expanding into the American market.
Get Started TodayEligibility Requirements
✓Requirements
- •Must have worked for the foreign qualifying organization for at least 1 continuous year within the last 3 years
- •The U.S. and foreign entities must have a qualifying relationship (parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch)
- •For L-1A: must be coming to work in a managerial or executive capacity
- •For L-1B: must possess specialized knowledge of the company's products, services, research, systems, or procedures
- •Both the U.S. and foreign entities must be doing business actively
★Benefits
- ✓L-1A valid for 3 years (new office: 1 year), extendable to 7 years total
- ✓L-1B valid for 3 years (new office: 1 year), extendable to 5 years total
- ✓No annual cap or lottery — file any time
- ✓Dual intent allowed — strong pathway to EB-1C green card for L-1A managers/executives
- ✓Spouse and children receive L-2 status; L-2 spouses have automatic work authorization
- ✓Can establish a new U.S. office on L-1 — ideal for foreign companies entering the U.S. market
The Process
Case preparation
4–6 weeksOnce you engage us, we build your case: we tell you exactly which documents we need, review each one, and assemble the filing package. This stage moves at the pace documents reach us — the sooner we receive what we ask for, the sooner we can file.
Establish qualifying relationship
1–2 weeksDocument the corporate relationship between U.S. and foreign entities (ownership charts, articles of incorporation, financials).
Petition filing
1–6 monthsEmployer files Form I-129 with L supplement. Blanket L petitions available for large multinationals.
Consular processing or status change
2–8 weeksEmployee obtains L-1 visa stamp at U.S. consulate abroad, or changes status if already in the U.S.
Processing Details
Timeline
1–6 months standard; 15 business days with premium processing
Government Fees
Government fees: $960–$5,460 depending on company size and options. Premium processing: $2,805. Attorney fees additional.
Key Documents Required
- •Corporate organizational charts and ownership documentation
- •Foreign entity's business records (registration, financials)
- •Evidence of qualifying relationship between U.S. and foreign entities
- •Employee's job description and evidence of managerial/executive role or specialized knowledge
- •Evidence of 1 year continuous employment with foreign entity
- •For new offices: business plan, office lease, proof of capitalization
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common immigration questions.
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L-1
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Founder & Immigration Attorney
- •Washington State Bar Association
- •New York State Bar Association
Business Immigration Specialist
- •Licensed Attorney (São Paulo, Brazil)
- •LL.M., Global Business Law
