L-1 Intracompany Transferee

L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from foreign offices to the United States. It comes in two sub-categories based on the nature of the employee's role.

Two L-1 Sub-Categories

L-1A (Manager or Executive): For employees being transferred in a managerial or executive capacity. Initial period: 3 years (1 year for new offices). Maximum total stay: 7 years. Provides a direct pathway to EB-1C green card.

L-1B (Specialized Knowledge): For employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, services, research, systems, or procedures. Initial period: 3 years (1 year for new offices). Maximum total stay: 5 years.

Employment Requirements

The foreign employee must have worked for the qualifying organization continuously for at least 1 year within the preceding 3 years in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.

Qualifying Relationship

The US and foreign entities must have a qualifying relationship: - Parent company - Branch - Affiliate (common ownership and control) - Subsidiary (at least 50% owned)

Blanket L-1 Petitions

Large multinational companies that meet certain criteria can obtain a "blanket L-1" approval from USCIS, allowing individual employees to apply for L-1 status directly at US consulates without a separate I-129 petition for each employee. This significantly speeds up the process.

L-1 Advantages

• No annual cap — unlike H-1B, there is no lottery
• Dual intent — L-1 holders can simultaneously pursue immigrant status
• Family: Spouses receive L-2 status and are eligible for automatic work authorization (L-2S EAD or OPT-in on USCIS acknowledgment after Ponte decision)
• Path to EB-1C: L-1A managers/executives can file for EB-1C green card without PERM