How long does the L-1 Intracompany Transferee take?

End to end, the L-1 Intracompany Transferee typically takes 2 to 5 months. Preparing a complete application (5 stages) usually takes around 41 months; the rest is government processing, which varies with caseload and country of application.

What slows down L-1 Visa applications?

The most common delays are incomplete evidence triggering requests for more information, missing or expired documents (police certificates and medicals have validity windows), and backlogs at specific processing offices. Filing a decision-ready application is the single biggest controllable factor.

Can I speed up the L-1 Visa?

You cannot skip the queue in most cases, but you can avoid adding to it: submit complete evidence the first time, respond to requests immediately, and keep documents valid. Some categories offer premium or priority processing — check the official government page for current options.

🇺🇸 United States · L-1 Visa

L-1 Intracompany Transferee: Processing time

Typical end-to-end timeline: 2–5 months. Here is where that time actually goes, stage by stage.

Typical processing time

2–5 months

from first preparation to final decision

Government processing times move with caseload. Check the official processing-time page for the current published estimate — our platform tracks these automatically.

The 5 stages of a L-1 Visa application

1
Confirm Qualifying Corporate Relationship and Employment History
≈ 14 days
Confirm the qualifying relationship between the US and foreign entities. Document 1+ year of continuous qualifying employment abroad in the past 3 years.
2
Check for Blanket L-1 Eligibility
≈ 7 days
If the company has an approved Blanket L-1 petition, the employee can apply directly at a US consulate with Form I-129S rather than filing an individual I-129. Otherwise, proceed with an individual petition.
3
File Form I-129 (Individual L-1 Petition)
≈ 60 days
Employer files I-129 with L supplement with USCIS. Include corporate relationship evidence, employment history documentation, and job description for the US role.
Form: I-129
4
Visa Stamp or Change of Status
≈ 45 days
If outside the US: apply for L-1 visa stamp at a US Embassy using Form DS-160 and the I-797 approval notice. If in the US in valid status: change of status is automatic upon I-129 approval.
5
Track Extensions and Consider EB-1C
≈ 1095 days
L-1A has a maximum stay of 7 years; L-1B is 5 years. File extension petitions before expiration. L-1A managers/executives can simultaneously pursue EB-1C green card without PERM.

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The 5 stages of a L-1 Visa application

Confirm Qualifying Corporate Relationship and Employment History

≈ 14 days

Confirm the qualifying relationship between the US and foreign entities. Document 1+ year of continuous qualifying employment abroad in the past 3 years.

Check for Blanket L-1 Eligibility

≈ 7 days

If the company has an approved Blanket L-1 petition, the employee can apply directly at a US consulate with Form I-129S rather than filing an individual I-129. Otherwise, proceed with an individual petition.

File Form I-129 (Individual L-1 Petition)

≈ 60 days

Employer files I-129 with L supplement with USCIS. Include corporate relationship evidence, employment history documentation, and job description for the US role.

Form: I-129

Visa Stamp or Change of Status

≈ 45 days

If outside the US: apply for L-1 visa stamp at a US Embassy using Form DS-160 and the I-797 approval notice. If in the US in valid status: change of status is automatic upon I-129 approval.

Track Extensions and Consider EB-1C

≈ 1095 days

L-1A has a maximum stay of 7 years; L-1B is 5 years. File extension petitions before expiration. L-1A managers/executives can simultaneously pursue EB-1C green card without PERM.