Last Updated on November 4, 2024
The L-1 visa is available for employers who transfer employees from a foreign branch, subsidiary, affiliate, parent or corporate entity to work at a related U.S. entity.
L-1 visa holders must have been employed with the organization outside of the U.S. for at least one continuous year. Additionally, this period must be completed at a qualifying foreign entity in the preceding three years.
There are two categories under the L-1 visa:
- L-1A: Intracompany Transferee for Executives or Managers
- L-1B: Intracompany Transferee for Employees with Specialized Knowledge
Both categories have their own eligibility requirements.
What Is the L-1A Visa?
The L-1A visa is for foreign nationals who have worked aboard at a foreign affiliate of the sponsoring U.S. entity in an executive or managerial capacity.
Executive capacity refers to the employee’s ability to make major decisions without much oversight.
Managerial capacity refers to the ability of the employee to supervise and direct the work of other employees and to manage the organization, department, subdivision, function or other component of the organization.
Additional requirements for the L-1A visa include the following:
- Candidates must have worked at a related entity abroad for at least 12 continuous months out of the last three years at the time of application.
- The work or service must be in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge capacity for a parent company, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the same employer.
- There must be a qualifying relationship with a foreign company, such as a parent company, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
Also, if the executive’s or manager’s reason for travel is to open a new office in the U.S., the following conditions must be met:
- The employer has secured the physical office location.
- The individual must have executive, managerial or specialized knowledge capacity.
- The executive or manager has been employed in that position for one continuous year in the three years preceding the petition filing.
The intended U.S. office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of the approved petition.
What Is L-1 Visa Blanket Certification?
Some companies choose to establish an intracompany relationship instead of filing individual L-1 petitions. This means the employee can apply for the L-1 visa directly at a U.S. Consulate rather than in the U.S.
How Long Does the L-1A Visa Last?
The L-1A visa has an initial period of stay of three years. Individuals can apply for renewals and may receive two extensions granted in two-year increments. This means individuals on an L-1A visa can remain in the U.S. for a total of seven years.
Sometimes, an L-1A visa holder can have more than one, two or three extensions if they travel outside the U.S. They get to recapture that time, meaning someone could potentially stay in the U.S. for an even longer period. We recommend speaking to an attorney for more information.
If the temporary nature of the assignment changes, we recommend speaking to an attorney.
How Much Does the L Visa Cost?
USCIS has updated its L-1A and L-1B visa pricing, effective April 1, 2024:
Additional visa pricing information is available in the fee glossary in our ABCs of Immigration Guide.
L Visa Premium Processing
Employers can pay the $2,805 premium processing fee when available, and USCIS will adjudicate the L-1A petition within 15 business days. This means they are required to approve, issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), or deny the visa petition.
What Is the L-1B Visa?
The L-1B visa allows a U.S. employer to transfer an employee with specialized knowledge of the organization from one of its affiliated foreign offices to a U.S. parent company, subsidiary, affiliate or branch.
An employee must meet the following requirements to qualify for the L-1B visa:
- Have worked in the qualifying organization for at least 12 continuous months within the last three years. This timeframe must lead up to the transfer to an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.
- Have specialized knowledge based on employment with the foreign employer that will be used in the U.S.
What Is L-1B Visa Specialized Knowledge?
Specialized knowledge means either special knowledge possessed by an individual of the petitioning organization’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization’s processes and procedures (See 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(D)).
If the employee’s reason for working in the U.S. is to open a new office, the following conditions must be met:
- The employer has secured a sufficient physical location to house the new office
- The employer has the financial ability to compensate the employee conducting business in the U.S.
How Long Does the L-1B Last?
The L-1B visa has an initial period of stay of three years. Individuals can apply for renewals and may receive one extension granted in a two-year increment. This means individuals on the L-1B visa could potentially stay in the U.S. for five years.
L-1B visa holders can have more than one, two or three extensions if they travel outside the U.S. They get to recapture that time, meaning someone could potentially stay in the U.S. for an even longer period. We recommend speaking to an attorney for more information.
If the temporary nature of the assignment changes, we recommend speaking to an attorney.
NOTE: If the foreign national is outside the U.S., they likely will need to apply for a visa to enter the U.S.
About Envoy Global and the L-1 Visa Process
Envoy Global helps navigate the complexities of the L-1 visa process. Our secure technology platform and partnership with skilled immigration professionals provide for a better immigration experience. For more information on obtaining an L-1 visa for skilled foreign talent, check out our ABCs of Immigration guide.
Envoy is pleased to provide you with this information, which was prepared in collaboration with Corporate Immigration Partners, P.C., a U.S. law firm who provides services through the Envoy Platform (the “U.S. Law Firm”).
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. Envoy is not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. If you would like guidance on how this information may impact your particular situation and you are a client of the U.S. Law Firm, consult your attorney. If you are not a client of the U.S. Law Firm working with Envoy, consult another qualified professional. This website does not create an attorney-client relationship with the U.S. Law Firm.
