L-1 Visa: The Complete Guide for Intra-Company Transfers to the United States (L-1A & L-1B)

Everything you need to know about the L-1 visa: conditions, length of stay, required documents, costs, and processing times.

The essential guide for HR teams and companies sending employees to the US.

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📌 L-1 Visa: The Complete Guide for Intra-Company Transfers to the United States

The L-1 visa is one of the most commonly used pathways for international companies wishing to transfer an employee to their US offices.

Whether you are in HR, global mobility, or leading a multinational group, this visa provides a fast and efficient way to relocate a manager, executive, or specialist with unique expertise.

In this article, we break down all rules, steps, and requirements related to the L-1A / L-1B categories.

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1️⃣ What Is the L-1 Visa?

The L-1 visa allows a US company to transfer an employee from one of its foreign entities.

There are two subcategories:

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L-1A: Managers & Executives

For employees performing:

• general management duties
• management of a department or team
• oversight of essential functions

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L-1B: Specialized Knowledge

For employees possessing advanced or unique knowledge of:

• the company’s products
• technologies
• internal processes

The L-1 can also be used to open a new US office (New Office L-1).

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2️⃣ Authorized Length of Stay

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L-1A : Managers & Executives

• Initial duration: 3 years
• Maximum duration: up to 7 years

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L-1B : Specialized Knowledge

• Initial duration: 3 years
• Maximum duration: up to 5 years

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➡️ Extensions are granted in 2-year increments.

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3️⃣ Conditions the Employer Must Meet

To obtain an L-1, the company must demonstrate:

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✔ A qualifying relationship between entities

The US and foreign companies must be:

• parent company
• subsidiary
• branch
• affiliates

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✔ “Doing Business”

The company must truly operate:

• regularly
• continuously
• with structured activity

A simple legal presence or agent is not enough.

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✔ 1 year of employment abroad

The employee must have worked at least 1 year for the foreign entity within the last 3 years.

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✔ Specific requirements

• For L-1A: prove a real managerial or executive role
• For L-1B: prove specialized knowledge used before and after the transfer

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4️⃣ Required Documents

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📁 Proof of relationship between entities

• articles of incorporation
• registration certificates
• organizational charts
• ownership documents

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📊 Proof of activity (“Doing Business”)

• financial statements
• tax returns
• client contracts
• sales reports

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👤 Proof of the employee’s work history

• 12 months of pay slips
• employment letters
• passport showing presence abroad

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📌 Additional evidence depending on category

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For L-1A:

• detailed job description
• hierarchical & functional org charts
• proof of team or function management

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For L-1B:

• internal certifications
• technical documentation
• patents, white papers, presentations
• description of mastered technologies/procedures

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5️⃣ Costs and Government Fees

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🏢 Paid by the employer

• USCIS Filing Fee: $460
• Fraud Detection Fee: $500
• Employer surcharge for companies with 50+ employees (if >50% in H-1B/L-1): $4,500
• Premium Processing (optional): $2,500, 15-day response

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👤 Paid by the employee

• Consular Visa Fee: $190
• possible reciprocity fees depending on nationality

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6️⃣ Process & Processing Times

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Step 1 : Filing the petition with USCIS

• Standard processing: 8–10 months
• Premium Processing: 15 days

⚠️ If documents are missing, USCIS issues an RFE, extending the timeline.

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Step 2 : Consular interview

Once approved, the employee schedules an appointment at the US consulate.
After validation and security checks, an L-1 visa is placed in the passport.

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Step 3 : Entry into the United States

The employee may begin working immediately for the US entity.

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7️⃣ The “Blanket L-1” System: The Fast Track for Large Corporations

Some companies can qualify for a Blanket Petition, which allows them to:

• stop filing individual petitions with USCIS
• send employees directly through the consulate

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Eligibility Criteria

The company must:

• operate in the US for over 1 year
• have 3 affiliated entities (US or foreign)
• conduct real commercial activity

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AND meet one of these:

• 10 L-1 approvals in the past 12 months
• or $25M+ in annual sales
• or at least 1,000 US employees

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👉 For global groups, this is the fastest way to transfer employees.

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✅ Conclusion: The L-1 Visa, a Strategic Tool for US Mobility

The L-1 program is essential for companies wanting to:

• transfer key managers
• mobilize internal experts
• open a US office
• streamline talent mobility

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Well prepared, an L-1 petition can be approved quickly, especially via Premium Processing or a Blanket Petition.