L-1A / L-1B (Intra-Company Transfers)
The L-1 visa category allows multinational companies to transfer executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees from a foreign entity to a qualifying U.S. affiliate.
L-1A status applies to executive and managerial roles and may be granted for up to seven years, while L-1B status applies to specialized knowledge positions with a maximum stay of five years. The U.S. and foreign entities must share a qualifying corporate relationship, and L-1 visas may also support new office expansion.
Cohen Visa advises companies and employees on eligibility, corporate structuring, compliance, and long-term pathways to permanent residence, including EB-1C strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the L-1 Visa process and requirements
L-1A is for employees performing managerial or executive assignments in the US, with a maximum duration of stay of 7 years. L-1B is for employees performing specialized assignments in the US, with a maximum duration of stay of 5 years.
For an employee to transfer from their current office to a U.S. office, there must be a qualifying relationship between the organizations. Possible qualifying relationships include: 1) parent/subsidiary, 2) parent/branch office, or 3) affiliates.
Yes, the L-1 Visa may also be secured to set up a new office in the U.S. This is a common pathway for companies looking to expand their operations into the United States.
If a company is consistently petitioning employees for L-1 status, a blanket petition can be used to speed up the process. This allows for faster processing of multiple L-1 applications from the same company.
Yes, spouses and children of L-1 Visa holders may secure dependent status. Spouses may also be eligible for work authorization in the United States.
To be eligible for an L-1 visa, the employee needs to have been continuously employed by the foreign company, in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity, for at least one year in the preceding three years.
Yes, Canadians are able to apply for the L-1 Visa directly at the US/Canada border, reducing processing time and making the process simpler compared to consular processing.
Yes, the L-1 Visa is a popular US Work Visa option as it paves the way to a green card and facilitates the movement of essential employees across borders. L-1A holders in particular have a direct path to permanent residency.