L-1 Intracompany Transfer — US Immigration Attorneys

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from overseas offices to the US. L-1A is for managers and executives (5 years maximum, leads to EB-1C green card). L-1B is for employees with specialised knowledge (3 years maximum). The employer must have a qualifying relationship between the US and foreign entities.

L-1

Visa code

3–5 years

Duration

$460

Gov fees from

USCIS

Filed with

Visa details

Visa typeL-1 Intracompany Transfer

CodeL-1

Duration3–5 years

Est. gov fees$460 (I-129) + $500–4,500 (fees) + attorney

Filed withUSCIS / DOS

Key eligibility

Employed by a qualifying multinational company for at least 1 year in the past 3 years

The foreign and US entities have a qualifying relationship (parent, affiliate, subsidiary)

L-1A: Role must be managerial or executive in both the overseas and US position

L-1B: Position requires specialised knowledge of the company's products, services, or procedures

Employer files Form I-129 with USCIS (or USCIS premium processing)

No prevailing wage or labor certification requirement

Why use an attorney for L-1?

L-1B "specialised knowledge" is the most commonly challenged element — USCIS requires detailed evidence that the knowledge is genuinely specialised and not general expertise. An attorney drafts a comprehensive petition that explains the proprietary nature of the knowledge.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Blanket L petition?+

Large multinational companies can file a Blanket L petition covering multiple transferees without filing individual I-129 petitions for each person. Once approved, qualifying employees can apply for an L-1 visa directly at the US consulate with Form I-129S.

Can an L-1A lead to a green card?+

Yes. L-1A managers and executives are directly eligible for the EB-1C employment-based green card, which typically has current visa availability for most nationalities. EB-1C does not require PERM labor certification.

What is the new office L-1 petition?+

If you are opening a new US office for a foreign company, you can file a "new office" L-1 petition. New office L-1s are initially approved for only 1 year and require renewal with evidence of active business operations.

Can my family join me on an L-1 visa?+

Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you on L-2 dependent visas. L-2 spouses have automatic work authorisation incident to their status — they do not need a separate EAD to work in the US.

What is the maximum time I can spend on an L-1?+

L-1A (manager/executive): maximum 7 years. L-1B (specialised knowledge): maximum 5 years. After reaching the maximum, you must leave the US for at least 1 year before another L-1 is available.