L-1 transfer from an Indian IT company
US federal rules as of 30 October 2026. Sources re-checked against official pages on 30 October 2026. Where a figure could not be confirmed, this page links the official source instead of stating it.
If you work for an Indian IT company with offices in India and the US, an L-1 transfer lets you move to the US office after one continuous year abroad within the prior three years. There is no lottery. The employer files, either individually or under a blanket petition. L-1 is temporary; L-1A managers may later qualify for EB-1.
Who qualifies?
Employees at a company with a qualifying relationship, in an executive, managerial or specialized-knowledge role. See the full L-1 guide.
What is the blanket petition?
A large company can transfer eligible staff under one approved petition. You receive Form I-129S and apply at a US consulate. Time limits and eligibility rules are on the USCIS L-1 pages; USCIS says blanket approval speeds transfers but does not guarantee L-1A or L-1B status.
What are the limits?
L-1A: up to 7 years; L-1B: up to 5 years.
How does the process work step by step?
- Check the relationship. Your Indian employer and the US office must be a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of each other, and the company must be doing business in the US and at least one other country (USCIS, L-1A page).
- Check your own year. USCIS says you generally must have worked for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years before your admission to the US.
- Employer files. The US employer files Form I-129. A company with an approved blanket petition completes Form I-129S instead and sends it to you with the blanket approval notice and other required evidence.
- Visa application. You present the paperwork to a consular officer to apply for an L-1 visa. Appointment availability is on the US Embassy India visa pages.
- Admission. You are admitted in L-1A or L-1B status, and your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply for L-2.
L-1A or L-1B?
| L-1A | L-1B | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Executives and managers | Specialized knowledge employees |
| Initial stay | Up to 3 years (1 year for a new office) | Up to 3 years (1 year for a new office) |
| Extensions | Increments of up to 2 years | Increments of up to 2 years |
| Maximum | 7 years | 5 years |
USCIS defines specialized knowledge as special knowledge of the organization's product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management or other interests, or an advanced level of knowledge of its processes and procedures. A job title alone does not decide it.
When can a blanket petition be used?
USCIS says an organization may qualify if the petitioner and its qualifying organizations are engaged in commercial trade or services, the petitioner has a US office that has done business for one year or more, and it has three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries or affiliates. It must also meet one of three size tests set out on the USCIS page. For L-1B, the employee must also be a professional to use the blanket process.
What about my family?
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may seek L-2 admission. USCIS says spouses in valid L-2S status are employment authorized incident to status.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a transfer is possible before the one-year clock has run.
- Joining a different Indian company, even a partner, and expecting that time to count. The employer must be the qualifying organization.
- Treating the blanket petition as a guarantee. USCIS says approval of the petition does not guarantee L-1A or L-1B classification for any individual.
- Paying an agent for a "guaranteed L-1". Read avoiding immigration scams.
FAQ
Is L-1B easier than H-1B? There is no lottery, but L-1B needs specialized knowledge, and USCIS asks for one continuous year with the foreign company in the last three years.
Can I move to another employer on L-1? No; L-1 is tied to the company group.
Is there a lottery for L-1? No. The L-1 pages on USCIS describe an employer petition with no registration or selection step.
Does time on a short US business trip count against the one year? The USCIS pages say the year is of work for a qualifying organization abroad. Ask the company's immigration attorney how your travel is counted.
Can L-1 become a green card? Some L-1A managers may qualify as multinational managers in the first employment-based category. See the green card overview.
Next step: L-1 visa guide.
Sources
- USCIS, L-1A executive or manager, https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager, accessed 31 October 2026
- USCIS, L-1B specialized knowledge, https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1b-intracompany-transferee-specialized-knowledge, accessed 31 October 2026
- US Embassy and Consulates in India, Visas, https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/, accessed 31 October 2026
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.