L-1 visa · Intracompany transfer

What the L-1 visa is, how L-1A differs from L-1B, and how it connects to EB-1C

The L-1 lets a multinational send a qualifying executive, manager or specialized-knowledge employee to a U.S. role. It is not an investment-for-status product, and incorporating a company does not by itself produce approval. This page gathers the key points of the site's L-1 / EB-1C knowledge center in one place.

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Foreign (non-U.S.) company

· Legally formed and actually doing business: regularly providing goods or services, not just a registered address.
· A qualifying relationship with the U.S. entity (parent/subsidiary, branch or affiliate) shown through ownership and governance documents.
· International trade and personal shareholding are not required.

U.S. company (or office)

· A qualifying office or entity that continues doing business during the stay.
· 'Doing business' starts when regular provision of goods or services begins, not on the incorporation date.
· Premises, licenses, a workable budget and cash arrangements that fit the business.

Individual (beneficiary)

· At least one continuous year with the qualifying foreign organization within the relevant three-year period before filing.
· A managerial/executive (L-1A) or specialized-knowledge (L-1B) role; the U.S. role need not mirror the foreign one.
· New-office L-1A: that foreign year must be managerial or executive.

L-1A vs L-1B at a glance

Dimension	L-1A manager / executive	L-1B specialized knowledge
New office	Initial approval usually no more than one year; show how the entity will support the role within a year.	Available; review focuses on specialized-knowledge evidence, suitable premises and ability to start operating and pay.
Initial period, established entity	Generally up to three years (except new office).	Generally up to three years (except new office).
Extensions	Generally up to two years each.	Generally up to two years each.
Maximum stay	Usually 7 years; recapture and exceptions are case-specific.	Usually 5 years, also case-specific.
Dual intent	Permitted; immigrant filings may proceed during L-1A.	Also permitted.

L-1 visa FAQ

Does registering a U.S. company get me an L-1?: Registration alone does not. An L-1 needs a qualifying employer, qualifying relationship, qualifying foreign employment and, for a new office, premises and operating capacity. A business plan alone creates no eligibility.
Once I hold L-1A, is EB-1C guaranteed?: No. The standards are similar but reviewed independently, and EB-1C can be filed without an L-1A. EB-1C usually also requires the U.S. employer to have done business for a year and to show ability to pay.
What about my spouse and children?: A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply for L-2. A qualifying L-2 spouse is work-authorized incident to status; children do not gain work authorization from L-2.
Is L-1 Blanket a group visa?: No. Blanket is an employer-level pre-approval of listed entity relationships, requires the U.S. office to have done business for a year, and each individual is still reviewed.