L-1A · up to 7 years
L-1A — Managers & Executives
For division heads, executive directors, and managers. Running the company, making strategic decisions, reporting directly to the board. A direct path to the EB-1C Green Card with no PERM.
The L-1 US visa — intracompany transfer for executives and key specialists
A non-immigrant visa for transferring employees from a foreign office to the US branch of the same company. No lottery, no quotas — the petition can be filed at any time of year.
No quotas, no lottery
L-1 does not depend on the H-1B lottery. You can file the petition any day of the year — no waiting for a filing window.
Intracompany transfer
Transfer executives (L-1A, up to 7 years) and specialists with unique knowledge (L-1B, up to 5 years) to a US branch.
Open a US office
L-1 New Office — for launching a US branch. Granted for 1 year, with extensions as the business grows.
A path to EB-1C
L-1A opens the road to the EB-1C Green Card for executives — with no PERM labor certification.
Intracompany Transferee
What the L-1 visa is and who it is for
The L-1 visa lets a company transfer an employee from a foreign office to its US branch. The term is up to 7 years for L-1A and up to 5 years for L-1B. The biggest advantage: L-1A opens a direct path to EB-1C — the Green Card for executives with no labor certification.
L-1B · up to 5 years
L-1B — Specialized Knowledge
For specialists with unique knowledge of the company's products, technologies, or processes. Deep expertise, impossible to replace on short notice, 1+ year of experience in a foreign office.
Who it's for
We help professionals from many fields around the world move to the US legally
Do you have a university degree and significant professional achievements? Find out which visa type is right for you.
Tech professionals
Senior developers, architects, Data Science and AI specialists — with patents, conference talks, or high-load projects.
O-1EB-1AEB-2 NIW
Scientists
PhDs and researchers with publications, grants, and citations in peer-reviewed journals.
EB-1AEB-2 NIWO-1
Entrepreneurs
Tech entrepreneurs, business owners, and startup founders ready to launch or scale a company in the US market.
E-2L-1EB-5
Executives
Leaders of international companies — a transfer to a US office or a Green Card through EB-1C.
L-1O-1EB-1A
Investors
From $800K in EB-5 or $100K in E-2 — a Green Card and status for your whole family.
EB-5E-2
Artists & creatives
Painters, musicians, film directors, and designers with exhibitions, festivals, and awards.
O-1BEB-1A
Doctors
Surgeons, physicians, and clinical researchers with publications and professional recognition.
O-1EB-1AEB-2 NIW
Educators
Professors, lecturers, and experts with academic work and international recognition.
EB-1AEB-2 NIW
Athletes
Athletes and coaches with podium finishes, rankings, and national team experience.
O-1EB-1A
Bloggers & media
Influencers, journalists, and media personalities with an audience, reach, and publications.
O-1EB-1A
Don't see your profession here? We work with professionals from many different fields.
Check if I qualifyL-1 requirements
7 USCIS requirements for the L-1 visa
To get an L-1, you must meet all the key USCIS requirements at once: the relationship between the companies, your work experience, and a qualifying position. Our attorneys build a 200-1,500 page evidence file — org charts, job descriptions, financial documents, recommendation letters. Each requirement gets its own package of evidence.
- 1
At least 1 year with the foreign company
The candidate must have worked continuously at the parent company's foreign office for at least 12 months within the last 3 years — full-time, in a managerial or specialist position.
- 2
A qualifying relationship between the companies
The foreign and US offices must have a qualifying relationship: parent/subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. USCIS reviews the ownership structure, common control, and equity stakes.
- 3
L-1A: an executive or managerial position
The L-1A candidate must hold a managerial position: running the company, a division, or a key function, supervising professional employees, and making executive-level decisions.
- 4
L-1B: specialized knowledge of the company's product
For L-1B you must prove unique knowledge of the company's product, service, technology, or process — knowledge that is hard or impossible to acquire quickly outside the organization.
- 5
L-1 New Office — a development plan for the US branch
If the US office is opening for the first time, you need a business plan, premises, funding sources, and a hiring plan. The visa is granted for 1 year — the business must be up and running within that time.
- 6
An operating business outside the US
The parent company must conduct real business activity outside the US for the entire duration of the L-1 — you cannot close the foreign office once the employee relocates.
- 7
Intent to work in the US in the same role
The candidate must relocate to work for the same employer (or a related company) in a managerial role or one applying specialized knowledge — the US position must fit the L-1A or L-1B category.
Not sure whether L-1A or L-1B fits you?
An attorney will review your company structure and your role — for free. You will learn which L-1 category fits and how long petition preparation will take.
How it works
How to get a US visa in 7 steps — no chaos, no hunting down a dozen specialists
Swipe to see all the steps
Step 1 of 7
Free visa assessment
You fill out a questionnaire, and our specialists analyze your case in detail to assess your real chances of approval. At this stage you already see which path is the most promising for you. We then contact you to schedule an online meeting that suits you.
1 / 7
Take the first step — get a free expert consultation and an eligibility checklist
ConsultationTimeline
The average time to get an L-1 visa is 2-4 months. With Premium Processing — a USCIS decision in as little as 15 days.
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Case assessment and contract | 1-2 days |
| Evidence collection | 4-8 weeks |
| I-129 petition preparation | 2-3 weeks |
| USCIS processing | 2-8 mo. / 15 days (Premium) |
| Consular interview and visa issuance | 2-4 weeks |
The longest stage is evidence collection. The timing depends on how quickly you provide org charts, job descriptions, financial statements, and documents proving the relationship between the companies.
At Migrator, every case goes through 3 stages of document review by specialists at different levels — the final word and the I-129 filing always belong to a licensed US attorney.
Why Migrator
Our attorneys hold a 95% approval rate — with a money-back guarantee in your contract
Every L-1 case is handled by a licensed US attorney. The company takes on the financial risk — it is written into the contract.
* The 95% approval rate is an approximate figure based on approved cases across different time periods and visa categories.
Licensed US attorneys
Every L-1 case is handled by a licensed US attorney or accredited representative. Hundreds of approved petitions for executives and specialists.
Money-back guarantee in the contract
Approval or a full refund — the terms are written into the contract. Migrator takes on the financial risk — it is not a marketing gimmick.
Fixed price
The price is set before the contract is signed. RFE responses, extra consultations, case adjustments — all included. Government fees are not included.
24/7 communication
In your personal chat: the department head, a supervisor, a paralegal, a case manager, and an AI bot. Weekly progress updates.
Three stages of document review
The coordinator checks completeness, the attorney checks legal strength, the senior partner checks case strategy. Your I-129 petition passes three filters before it reaches USCIS.
Support after approval
We help you book your consular appointment and coach you for the interview. Guidance on moving to EB-1C — we stay in touch after you get your visa.
Don't put it off
Start your L-1 process today — waiting makes it harder and more expensive
L-1 requirements are tightening
USCIS scrutinizes the relationship between companies and the evidence of managerial capacity ever more strictly. A case that worked in 2024 needs a more complete evidence file in 2026 — org charts, role descriptions, and financial statements from both companies.
Processing times are growing
Standard processing of I-129 petitions keeps getting longer. What used to take 2 months can now take 6-8. Premium Processing is the only way to speed up the USCIS decision to 15 days.
The transfer window is limited
To qualify for an L-1, you must have worked at the foreign office for at least 12 months within the last 3 years. A gap in employment or a change of company closes the window — and you wait another year.
The window for your family is closing
Kids adapt more easily at 5 than at 12. Your spouse on an L-2 can work in the US right after getting the visa. Every year of waiting is a year your family could have spent in the US.
Request a free assessment
Submit a request and get a free visa assessment
Fill out the form — an immigration specialist will contact you with a free assessment of your case.
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Free case assessment
Not sure you’d qualify? See real client cases — with USCIS approval letters.
View case studiesFrequently asked questions
about the L-1 visa
Is a university degree required for L-1?
The core L-1 requirements do not impose a separate degree requirement. USCIS evaluates the qualifying relationship between the companies, the required employment abroad, and the proposed executive, managerial, or specialized-knowledge role.
Can a business founder obtain L-1 for themselves?
Sometimes. The structure must establish a qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. companies and a genuine qualifying position in the United States. Sole proprietorships and arrangements involving formal control require especially careful review.
Must the U.S. company already be operating before filing?
The New Office rules allow a newly established U.S. office, but the petition must show a credible operating plan, qualifying premises, and the company’s ability to support the qualifying position within one year.
Can an employee transfer to a subsidiary, parent, or affiliated company?
The permitted relationships are defined by the L-1 qualifying-relationship rules. Registration documents alone are not enough without evidence of the required ownership and control.
What if the U.S. company changes its ownership or structure?
A material change may require an assessment of whether the approved petition remains valid. Changes affecting the qualifying relationship or position should not be ignored without reviewing the documents and timing.
Can an L-2 spouse work?
A spouse admitted in the appropriate L-2S status is generally employment-authorized incident to status. The Form I-94 notation and current employer documentation requirements should be checked before work begins.
Can I change to an unrelated U.S. employer while in L-1 status?
L-1 is tied to the qualifying corporate group. Moving to an unrelated company is generally not a simple employer change and may require a different immigration category.
Does L-1A make an EB-1C case automatic?
No. L-1A can be a logical route toward EB-1C, but EB-1C has its own requirements for the companies, employment periods, and qualifying position. Approval of L-1 does not guarantee approval of Form I-140.