L Visa: Intracompany Transferee Visa
The L visa is a nonimmigrant work visa that allows multinational companies to transfer employees from a foreign office to a related office in the United States. It is designed to facilitate international business operations by allowing key personnel to relocate temporarily while maintaining their employment with the same employer.
The L visa program includes two main categories, each designed for different types of employee transfers.
🎯 L-1A Visa (Managers and Executives)
This visa is for employees transferring to the U.S. to work in a managerial or executive capacity.
L-1A holders can initially stay for up to 1 year if setting up a new office or up to 3 years if transferring to an existing office. Extensions are available in 2-year increments, with a maximum stay of 7 years.
🎯 L-1B Visa (Specialized Knowledge)
This visa is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, or processes.
The initial stay can be up to 1 or 3 years, depending on the situation. Extensions are available in 2-year increments, with a maximum stay of 5 years.
✅ Who Is Eligible for an L Visa?
To qualify for an L visa, both the employer and the employee must meet specific requirements:
Employer Requirements
The U.S. company and the foreign company must have a qualifying relationship (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate). Both the U.S. and foreign offices must be actively doing business—meaning they are providing goods or services, not just existing on paper.
Employee Requirements
The employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years. The prior employment must have been in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role. The employee must be coming to the U.S. to work in a similar capacity for the U.S. office.
The L visa is not limited to large corporations. Small, medium-sized businesses, even startups may also qualify, especially when establishing a new U.S. office.
✨ Key Features of L Visa
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Employer-Sponsored: The U.S. employer must file the petition on behalf of the employee. The visa is employer-specific.
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No Annual Cap: Unlike H-1B visas, the L visa is not subject to an annual cap or lottery, making it more predictable and accessible for qualifying employers and employees.
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Blanket L Petitions: For larger companies with frequent transfers, the Blanket L process streamlines future L-1 applications, reducing processing time and eliminating the need to file separate individual petitions for each employee.
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Dual intent: L visa holders can apply for a green card without jeopardizing their visa status.
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Easier Path to EB-1C: After one year in L-1A status, individuals can apply for permanent residency under the EB-1C visa. The EB-1C category does not require labor certification, and it typically offers faster processing times compared to other employment-based green card options.
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Spouse and Children: Eligible for L-2 status ( L-2 spouses can also obtain work authorization).
🔍 Additional Resources
🔗 L-1A Overview: Click here to learn more.
🔗 L-1B Overview: Click here to learn more.
🔗 Case Status: Click here to check the status of your case online using your USCIS Receipt Number.
🕒 Processing Times: Click here to check current USCIS processing times.
📦 Address Changes: All non-immigrants and permanent residents are required to notify USCIS of any address change within 10 days of moving. Click here to create an account and submit your change of address online.
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