How long can I stay on an L-1?

L-1A status is granted in increments up to a maximum of seven years; L-1B status has a five-year maximum. New-office petitions begin with a one-year initial period before extensions.

Can I open a new U.S. office on an L-1?

Yes. The L-1 is the standard route for a foreign company to send an executive or manager to establish a new U.S. office. The initial visa is limited to one year, after which an extension requires evidence that the office is operating and supports the role.

Can my spouse work on an L-2 visa?

Yes. L-2 spouses are authorized to work incident to status and can obtain proof of employment authorization. Children in L-2 status may study but cannot work.

Can I get a green card from an L-1?

Yes. The L-1 supports dual intent. L-1A managers and executives often transition to the EB-1C green card, which mirrors the L-1A criteria and does not require PERM labor certification. L-1B holders typically pursue EB-2 or EB-3 routes.

What is a blanket L petition?

Large multinationals that meet certain size and transfer-volume thresholds can obtain a blanket L approval, which pre-establishes the qualifying relationships. Individual employees can then process L visas directly at a consulate, streamlining future transfers.

L-1 — Intracompany Transferee (L-1A / L-1B)

What Is the L-1 Visa?

The L-1 is a nonimmigrant work visa that allows a multinational company to transfer certain employees from a qualifying foreign entity to a parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the United States. It has two subcategories: L-1A for executives and managers, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, services, or processes.

The L-1 has no annual cap and supports dual intent, meaning the transferee can pursue a green card — most directly the EB-1C category for multinational managers and executives — without jeopardizing L-1 status. It is also the primary vehicle for opening a new U.S. office of an existing foreign company.

Key Benefits of the L-1 Visa

No annual cap and no lottery — file any time of year.
Dual intent — pursue a green card (often EB-1C) without losing status.
Supports opening a brand-new U.S. office of a foreign company.
L-2 status for spouse and unmarried children; L-2 spouses can work.
Premium processing available (15 business days).
Blanket L petitions streamline transfers for large multinationals.

Who Qualifies for an L-1 Visa?

The employee must have worked for the qualifying foreign entity for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding the transfer, in a managerial, executive, or specialized-knowledge capacity. The U.S. and foreign entities must share a qualifying relationship — parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.

L-1A is for those moving into executive or managerial roles in the U.S.; L-1B is for those whose specialized knowledge of the organization's products, services, research, systems, or procedures is essential to the U.S. operation.

L-1 Eligibility Requirements

Both subcategories share a common foundation, then diverge on the role being filled in the United States.

Qualifying Corporate Relationship
The U.S. employer and the foreign employer must be the same entity or have a parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate relationship, both doing business throughout the petition period.
One Year of Prior Employment
The employee must have been employed abroad by the qualifying entity for at least one continuous year within the three years before admission to the U.S.
L-1A: Managerial or Executive Capacity
The transferee will serve in a role that primarily manages the organization, a department, or a function, or directs management and sets goals as an executive.
L-1B: Specialized Knowledge
The transferee possesses special knowledge of the company's products, services, research, systems, processes, or management that is not commonly held in the industry.
New-Office Standard (if applicable)
For a new U.S. office, the petitioner must show secured premises and the ability to support the role; the initial L-1 is granted for one year, then extended after the office is established.

L-1 Application Process

Most L-1 petitions follow this workflow. Premium processing can compress the I-129 adjudication to 15 business days.

Step 01

Relationship & Role Analysis

We confirm the qualifying corporate relationship, document the one year of prior employment, and define the U.S. role as L-1A or L-1B.

Step 02

Evidence Assembly

We compile corporate ownership records, organizational charts, financials, job descriptions, and specialized-knowledge documentation.

Step 03

I-129 Petition Filing

We draft and file Form I-129 with the L supplement, a detailed support letter, and evidence of the relationship and the role.

Step 04

Approval & Visa Stamping

On approval, transferees inside the U.S. change status; transferees abroad complete consular visa stamping before entering to begin work.

Required Documents for L-1

The exact set varies by company and role, but most petitions include the following.

Employee Documents

Passport biographical page
Résumé / CV detailing the qualifying year abroad
Foreign employment verification letters
Degree certificates (especially for L-1B roles)
Prior I-797 approvals and I-94 (if extending)

Corporate Documents

Proof of qualifying relationship (ownership and control)
Organizational charts for both entities
Company financial statements and tax records
Detailed support letter describing the role and duties
For L-1B: documentation of the specialized knowledge

Dependents (L-2)

Spouse and children passport pages
Marriage and birth certificates
Current immigration status documents

Frequently Asked Questions

L-1A is for executives and managers and can be held for up to seven years; it pairs naturally with the EB-1C green card. L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge and can be held for up to five years. Both require a qualifying year of prior employment abroad.