L-1 Visa: Intracompany Transfer
The L-1 visa is a U.S. intracompany transfer visa for employees moving from a foreign company to a related U.S. entity (parent, subsidiary, affiliate) in executive, managerial (L-1A), or specialized knowledge (L-1B) roles, requiring at least one year of prior foreign employment; it allows companies to establish U.S. operations, offers potential for Green Cards (EB-1C), and provides work authorization for spouses (L-2). Eligibility hinges on the qualifying relationship between the U.S. and foreign companies and the employee's role, with distinct initial durations and extensions for L-1A (exec/manager) and L-1B (specialized knowledge) categories.
Key Types & Roles
- L-1A (Executive/Manager): For transferring executives or managers; initial stay up to 3 years (1 year for new U.S. offices), max 7 years total.
- L-1B (Specialized Knowledge): For employees with unique skills or advanced knowledge; initial stay up to 3 years, max 5 years total.
- Must have a qualifying relationship (parent, branch, affiliate, subsidiary) with the foreign employer.
- Must be actively doing business in the U.S. and abroad.
- For new U.S. offices, initial stay is limited to one year.
- Must have worked for the qualifying foreign company for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding the petition.
- Must be coming to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.
Benefits
- Family: Spouses (L-2) can get work authorization, and children (L-2) can study.
- Path to Green Card: L-1A holders may qualify for the EB-1C immigrant visa (multinational executive/manager).
- Dual Intent: Allows for nonimmigrant intent while potentially pursuing permanent residency.