L-1 visa: transfer within a company
US federal rules as of October 30, 2026. Sources re-checked against official pages on October 30, 2026. Where a figure could not be confirmed, this page links the official source instead of stating it.
The L-1 visa lets a company transfer an existing employee from an office abroad to a related US office. L-1A is for executives and managers; L-1B is for specialized knowledge. You must generally have worked for the company abroad for one continuous year in the three years before admission. It is not a route for outside hires.
Who qualifies?
- A qualifying relationship between the US and foreign employer (parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate).
- One continuous year of employment abroad within the previous three years.
- A role that is executive or managerial (L-1A) or uses specialized knowledge (L-1B).
What are the steps?
- The company confirms the corporate relationship and your year abroad.
- The employer files Form I-129, or uses a blanket petition and gives you Form I-129S.
- You apply for the visa at a US consulate (within six months of the I-129S date for blanket cases).
- You start the US role.
How long does it last?
| Initial stay | Maximum | |
|---|---|---|
| L-1A | Up to 3 years (1 year for a new office) | 7 years |
| L-1B | Up to 3 years (1 year for a new office) | 5 years |
Mistakes to avoid
A "manager" title without managerial duties; vague specialized knowledge; counting the wrong year.
What is the difference between L-1A and L-1B?
| L-1A | L-1B | |
|---|---|---|
| Role abroad and in the US | Executive or manager | Specialized knowledge |
| Maximum stay | Seven years | Five years |
| Extensions | Up to two more years at a time | Up to two more years at a time |
| Family | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 in L-2 status | Same |
USCIS describes executive capacity as the ability to make decisions of wide latitude without much oversight. Managerial capacity is the ability to supervise and control the work of professional employees, or to manage an essential function at a high level. For L-1B, USCIS defines specialized knowledge as special knowledge of the organization's product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge of its processes and procedures.
What must the employer show?
- A qualifying relationship with a foreign company: parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
- That it is doing business, and will keep doing so, in the United States and in at least one other country. USCIS says doing business means regular, systematic and continuous provision of goods or services, not the mere presence of an agent or office.
- For a new US office, that it has secured enough physical premises. For L-1A, the office must also be able to support an executive or managerial position within one year of approval.
Can my spouse work on L-2?
USCIS says spouses of L-1 workers in valid L-2S status are employment authorized incident to status, and they do not have to file Form I-765 to work, although they may file for an Employment Authorization Document if they want one. Check the USCIS L-1A page for the evidence accepted on Form I-9.
What is the 9-11 Biometric Fee notice?
USCIS posted an alert that on August 10, 2026 DHS issued a final rule on the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 petitions, effective September 9, 2026. It applies to petitioners that employ 50 or more people in the United States when more than half of those employees are in H-1B or L-1 status. LiveRec states no fee amount. See the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) for the current figure.
Common mistakes
- Counting time spent at an unrelated company as the qualifying year.
- Describing an individual contributor as a manager without showing who the person supervises or which function they manage.
- Assuming a blanket approval guarantees L-1A or L-1B status. USCIS says it does not.
- Planning a start date before the visa interview or the I-129S paperwork is ready.
FAQ
Can I get a green card from L-1? Some L-1A managers qualify for EB-1 multinational manager. See the green card overview.
Is L-1 subject to the lottery? No.
For Indian IT staff? See L-1 transfer from an Indian IT company.
Does time outside the US count toward the maximum? The USCIS pages and 8 CFR 214.2(l) set the rules for the seven and five year limits. Ask a licensed attorney how your own travel history is counted.
Can the employer be a startup abroad? The foreign company can send an employee to set up a new US office if it meets the new-office tests above. The first stay is capped at one year.
Can I switch to H-1B later? That is a separate petition and subject to the H-1B rules. See H-1B vs L-1 for professionals from India.
Next step: Read how to ask an employer about sponsorship.
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
- 8 CFR 214.2(l), https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/section-214.2, live official page, linked for readers; link checked 2026-10-30, no figure is taken from it
- USCIS, filing fees, https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees, checked 2026-10-30
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.