L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visas
Expert representation for executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees
YO PELEO™ for Your L-1
"I Fight" for multinational executives and specialists
L-1 Visa Categories
The L-1 visa enables multinational companies to transfer executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees from foreign offices to the United States. Unlike H-1B visas, L-1s have no annual cap and offer a direct path to permanent residence for qualifying individuals.
L-1A Executive/Manager
For executives and managers being transferred to direct US operations
Requirements:
- Executive or managerial role abroad
- Same company or subsidiary/affiliate
- 1+ years employment abroad in past 3 years
- Coming to manage people or essential function
Benefits:
- Up to 7 years in US
- Fast track to permanent residence
- No labor certification needed
- Spouse can obtain work authorization
L-1B Specialized Knowledge
For employees with specialized knowledge of company processes or products
Requirements:
- Specialized knowledge of company
- Knowledge not generally available
- 1+ years employment abroad in past 3 years
- Transfer to use specialized knowledge
Benefits:
- Up to 5 years in US
- Faster processing than H-1B
- No annual cap limitations
- Family can accompany
Blanket L-1 Petition
Streamlined process for qualifying multinational companies
Requirements:
- Company must pre-qualify for blanket
- Must meet volume/size requirements
- Annual reporting to USCIS
- Individual employees still must qualify
Benefits:
- Faster individual processing
- Consular processing available
- Reduced documentation per case
- Streamlined transfers
Company Qualification Requirements
Qualifying Relationship
- Parent company and subsidiary
- Sister companies under common ownership
- Branch office of foreign company
- Joint ventures in some cases
Doing Business
- Foreign entity actively conducting business
- US entity established or in process
- Regular, systematic provision of goods/services
- Not just presence of agent or office
Financial Capacity
- Ability to compensate employee
- Sufficient funding for US operations
- Business plan for new offices
- Financial statements and records
L-1 Application Process
Company Qualification
1-2 weeksVerify qualifying corporate relationship and business operations
- Corporate structure analysis
- Business documentation review
- Eligibility assessment
Employee Assessment
1 weekEvaluate individual qualifications for L-1A or L-1B classification
- Role analysis
- Experience verification
- Specialized knowledge documentation
Petition Preparation
2-3 weeksCompile comprehensive L-1 petition package with supporting evidence
- Legal brief preparation
- Document collection
- Form completion
USCIS Filing & Approval
2-4 months (1-2 weeks premium)File with USCIS and obtain approval for L-1 classification
- Premium processing option
- RFE response if needed
- Approval notice
Key L-1 Advantages
No Annual Cap
Unlike H-1B, L-1 visas are not subject to annual numerical limitations
Dual Intent
Can pursue permanent residence while maintaining L-1 status
Family Benefits
Spouse receives L-2 status with work authorization, children can attend school
Green Card Path
L-1A provides direct path to EB-1C green card without labor certification
L-1 vs H-1B
Do You Qualify?
Ready to Transfer Your Key Employees?
L-1 visas offer advantages over H-1B with no annual cap and direct green card path. YO PELEO™ for your success.