L-1 visa

Transfer foreign national executives, managers and specialized employees from your international offices with the support from BAL’s L-1 visa immigration experts.

 

L-1 visa requirements

L-1A and L-1B visas have three main eligibility requirements:

Be a manager, executive or specialized employee

The beneficiary must have worked for at least one continuous year (within the previous three years) as an employee of a related company outside the U.S. in a managerial or executive capacity, or in a role involving specialized knowledge.

Have a qualifying company relationship

The U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company as a branch, subsidiary, parent or affiliate.

Do business in the U.S. and another country

The related companies must be “doing business” in the U.S and in at least one other country for the duration of the beneficiary’s stay in the U.S. 

 

L-1 visa services for intracompany transfers

BAL’s legal experts help employers submit successful L-1 visa applications to transfer employees from international offices to the United States while ensuring your business remains compliant every step of the way.

Our innovative technology and proprietary case management platform enable employers to complete the L-1 visa petition process with transparency, speed and quality control.

“The people working the case with me and the tech solutions are all great —especially the people! They are all very professional, efficient, patient and friendly.”
– Foreign national employee of a BAL client

Talk to an L-1 visa attorney about sponsoring intracompany transfers

Why work with BAL?

  • Immigration is all we do

    BAL has 45+ years of experience in corporate immigration. Working across a diverse array of industries, BAL has deep experience supporting individuals and corporations on their immigration journeys.

  • Committed to exceptional service

    Our knowledgeable and attentive legal team delivers tailored service to all our clients, including executives and employees with specialized knowledge transferring to U.S. offices.

  • Experts on L-1A and L-1B visas

    BAL’s immigration experts have years of experience securing L-1A and L-1B visas for intracompany transfers.

L-1 FAQs

What is an L-1A visa?

The L-1A visa is for intracompany transfers of managerial and executive employees. 

What is an L-1B visa?

The L-1B visa is for intracompany transfers of employees with specialized knowledge.

What are the general qualifications of the employer?

To qualify for L-1 classification in this category, the employer must:

  • Have a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (parent company, branch, subsidiary or affiliate, collectively referred to as qualifying organizations) and currently be, or will be, doing business as an employer in the United States and in at least one other country directly or through a qualifying organization for the duration of the beneficiary’s stay in the United States as an L-1. While the business must be viable, there is no requirement that it be engaged in international trade.

 

“Doing business” means the regular, systematic and continuous provision of goods and/or services by a qualifying organization and does not include the mere presence of an agent or office of the qualifying organization in the United States and abroad.

How long can employees stay in the U.S. on an L-1 visa?

Qualified employees not establishing a new office may stay in the U.S. for an initial stay of three years, after which an extension may be granted in increments of up to two years. The maximum stay limit is seven years.

What are the requirements for establishing new offices?

For foreign employers seeking to send an employee to the United States as an executive or manager to establish a new office, the employer must also show that:

  • The employer has secured sufficient physical premises to house the new office;
  • The employee has been employed as an executive or manager for one continuous year in the three years preceding the filing of the petition; and
  • The intended U.S. office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of the approval of the petition.

How long can qualified L-1 employees stay at a new office?

Qualified employees entering the United States to establish a new office will be allowed a maximum initial stay of one year. All other qualified employees will be allowed a maximum initial stay of three years.

Does an L-1 visa lead to a Green Card?

The L-1 visa is a dual intent visa, which means L-1 visa holders may simultaneously pursue U.S. permanent residency. 

Can L-1 employees transfer with their families?

The transferring employee may be accompanied or followed by their spouse and any unmarried children who are under 21 years of age. Spouses and children may seek admission in the L-2 nonimmigrant classification and, if approved, generally will be granted the same period of stay as the employee.

If these family members are already in the United States and seeking changes of status to or extension of stay in L-2 classification, they may apply collectively, with fee, on the Form I-539, Application to Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status.

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