What is the L-1 intracompany transfer visa and who qualifies?

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from an affiliated foreign office to a US office. L-1A is for executives and managers; L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge. To qualify, the employee must have worked for the company abroad for at least one continuous year within the past three years in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.

The US employer (which must be the same or related company as the overseas employer) files Form I-129 with USCIS. There is no annual cap for L-1 visas, unlike the H-1B. L-1A is initially approved for three years, extendable to seven years total. L-1B is approved for three years, extendable to five years. New offices (operating less than one year) receive initial approvals of only one year.

L-1A holders are on a faster path to a green card through the EB-1C category (multinational executives/managers), which does not require a labor certification. L-1 holders can also self-petition for an NIW in some cases. Spouses of L-1 holders receive L-2 status and are work-authorized incident to status without needing a separate EAD.

This is general information only, not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration lawyer or registered migration agent for your specific situation.