L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

What is it?

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from foreign offices to US offices. L-1A is for managers and executives (allows EB-1C green card path). L-1B is for workers with specialised knowledge. The employee must have worked for the company abroad for at least 1 continuous year within the last 3 years.

Who needs it?

Employees of multinational companies who have worked for the same employer (or affiliate/subsidiary) outside the US for at least 1 year in the past 3 years in a managerial, executive, or specialised knowledge capacity.

Required Documents

• Form I-129 with L supplement filed by the US employer
• Evidence of qualifying relationship between US and foreign entity (ownership, control documents)
• Evidence of the employee's 1 year of qualifying employment abroad (letters, pay stubs, org charts)
• Job description for the US position clearly showing managerial/executive or specialised knowledge duties
• Employee's resume and educational credentials
• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond stay
• DS-160 and visa application fee (for consular processing)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Insufficient evidence of qualifying relationship between foreign and US entities
• L-1B specialised knowledge claim too vague — must describe proprietary knowledge specifically
• Managerial role that is mostly hands-on work — USCIS scrutinises 'function managers' closely
• Employee did not work full-time for 1 continuous year abroad
• New office L-1 (for newly established US offices) requires a detailed business plan

Approval Tips

• L-1A (manager/executive) is a direct path to an EB-1C green card — plan strategically
• Large companies can use a Blanket L petition to transfer employees faster without individual I-129s
• Document the managerial role with org charts showing direct reports
• Use premium processing for time-sensitive transfers
• New office petitions are approved for 1 year only — plan the extension with strong revenue evidence