What Is the L-1 Visa?
The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer qualifying employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office. It is divided into two subcategories: L-1A for managers and executives, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, or procedures.
Eligibility Requirements
Qualifying Relationship: The U.S. and foreign entities must have a qualifying relationship — parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. Both entities must be doing business for the duration of the L-1 stay.
Employment Abroad: The employee must have worked for the foreign entity in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity for at least one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding the transfer.
L-1A (Managers/Executives): The employee must be coming to the U.S. to serve in a managerial or executive capacity. A manager directs the work of professional employees or manages an essential function. An executive directs the management of the organization.
L-1B (Specialized Knowledge): The employee must possess specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, research, or procedures, and must be coming to apply that knowledge.
Duration
- L-1A: Initially up to three years (one year for new offices), extendable to a maximum of seven years
- L-1B: Initially up to three years (one year for new offices), extendable to a maximum of five years
L-1 vs H-1B: Key Differences
- No annual cap — L-1 visas are not subject to a lottery or numerical limit
- No prevailing wage requirement
- No degree requirement — qualification is based on role and company knowledge
- L-1A provides a streamlined path to the EB-1C green card — no PERM required
Blanket Petitions
Large multinational companies that have obtained approval for at least 10 L-1 petitions in the preceding 12 months, have combined annual sales of at least $25 million, or have at least 1,000 U.S. employees may qualify for blanket petitions, allowing employees to apply directly at a consulate.
New Office L-1
The L-1 can be used to open a new U.S. office. Initial approval is limited to one year, and the petitioner must demonstrate secured premises and that the business will support a managerial or executive position within one year.
Request a free L-1 case evaluation to discuss your intracompany transfer.