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L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa: Requirements & Process Guide

The L visa allows multinational companies to transfer key employees from an overseas office to a U.S. office. The two main categories are L-1A for executives and managers and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge. 

Quick Answer

The L-1 Intracompany Transfer visa allows multinational companies to transfer key employees from an overseas office to a U.S. office, facilitating the movement of essential personnel within a global organization. This visa category has two main types: the L-1A for executives and managers, and the L-1B for employees possessing specialized knowledge crucial to the company's operations. To qualify for an L-1 visa, the employee must have worked for a qualifying foreign entity for at least one continuous year within the past three years before transferring to the U.S. office.

To qualify, the employee must have worked for a qualifying foreign entity for at least one continuous year within the past three years and must be transferring to the US offices. 

Please see our updated videos regarding news around the L1 visas – including what is a qualifying relationship, how long can we apply for an L1 visa for? Can my spouse work and can my kids join? Can this lead to a Greencard? What is the difference between L1A for an executive and an L1A for a manager? We will discuss real stories and real issues that have come up and how we dealt with subcontractors who were not on the payroll or how we dealt with new companies that have less than 12 month operations in the US. What is a blanket and what are the average time processing with and without expedition?

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Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is an L-1 Intracompany Transfer visa?

The L visa allows multinational companies to transfer key employees from an overseas office to a U.S. office. This visa category is designed to facilitate the movement of essential personnel within a global organization.

2 What is the difference between an L-1A and an L-1B visa?

The L-1A visa is specifically for executives and managers being transferred to a U.S. office. In contrast, the L-1B visa is designated for employees who possess specialized knowledge crucial to the company's operations.