An L-1 visa lawyer first confirms the basic conditions: the U.S. and foreign companies have a qualifying relationship and both are actively doing business; the employee has worked continuously for the foreign affiliate for at least 1 year within the 3 years before coming to the U.S.; and after arriving, the employee will serve in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge position. L-1 lets a multinational company transfer foreign employees to an affiliated company in the U.S., with no lottery like H-1B. A new U.S. office can also apply, but the initial approval is usually only 1 year, and the requirements are stricter. The information below is current as of November 6, 2026.
L-1A and L-1B
- L-1A: executive or manager. The initial period is generally up to 3 years, each extension is up to 2 years, and the total limit is 7 years.
- L-1B: specialized knowledge employee. The initial period is generally up to 3 years, each extension is up to 2 years, and the total limit is 5 years.
Time in H and L status is counted together. After reaching the limit, you generally must reside outside the United States for 1 full year before applying again. If an L-1B employee is placed at an unaffiliated client company, you must also show that the employee is not controlled principally by the client and that the arrangement is not labor-only contracting.
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply for L-2. A spouse in L-2S status has work authorization included in the status itself.
What the companies must satisfy
A qualifying relationship includes a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate. Both sides must be doing business on a continuing basis, not merely on paper, though they are not required to engage in international trade with each other. A sole proprietorship cannot petition for the owner personally, because it is not a legal entity separate from the owner. The corporate structure should be sorted out before filing.
Large companies may evaluate a blanket L-1 petition.
New Office
A petition for a new office must additionally show:
- Physical premises sufficient to house the new office have been secured (required for both L-1A and L-1B);
- The employee has worked abroad as an executive or manager for at least 1 year within the previous 3 years (L-1A);
- The U.S. company will be able to support an executive or manager position within 1 year after approval (L-1A);
- The company is able to pay compensation and begin doing business (L-1B).
The initial approval period is up to 1 year. An extension requires showing actual operating results, such as revenue, employees, structure and the manager's real duties. If after 1 year the applicant is still handling the day-to-day business alone, an extension may be difficult, so hiring and business should be planned in advance.
Fees
- Form I-129 fee: $1,385 on paper or $1,335 online; $695 for small employers and nonprofits.
- The Asylum Program Fee is $600, $300 for small employers and $0 for nonprofits.
- The Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee is $500 and applies to initial petitions, change of employer and similar situations.
- Employers with 50 or more employees, more than half of whom are in H-1B or L-1 status, pay an additional $4,500. Beginning September 9, 2026 it also applies to extensions, and the current arrangement runs through September 30, 2027.
- The premium processing fee is $2,965, with a target time frame of 15 business days.
What to prepare
- Incorporation documents, ownership structure and proof of the relationship for both companies.
- Evidence of operations such as financial statements, tax returns, bank records, contracts and invoices.
- Proof of the employee's 1 year of work abroad, job description, subordinates and an organization chart.
- L-1B: a description of the specialized knowledge and how it was acquired.
- New office: lease, photos of the premises, investment records, business plan and hiring plan.
Check the latest USCIS form edition and address before filing.
How it relates to a green card
An eligible multinational executive or manager may evaluate the EB-1C green card. L-1 is a nonimmigrant status, so long-term planning should consider both the green card path and timing. If you are unsure, you can ask an immigration lawyer to review it with you.
Contact us
Lu Xin Law Offices is located at 36-09 Main Street, Suite 5-D5, Flushing, New York. The responsible attorney, Michael R. Curran, is licensed in New York and New Jersey. Immigration is a federal matter, and representation in cases in other states is arranged according to the applicable rules of practice and the scope of the engagement. If you need an L-1 visa lawyer or L-1 lawyer to evaluate your company structure, call 347-618-3386. For our services, see Immigration Legal Services.
FAQ
Is there a lottery for L-1?
No. L-1 has no lottery like H-1B.
Can a newly established U.S. company apply for L-1?
Yes, but additional proof is required, such as having secured physical premises sufficient to house the new office. The initial approval period is up to 1 year, and an extension requires showing actual operating results.
How long can someone stay in L-1 status?
The total limit is 7 years for L-1A and 5 years for L-1B. The initial period is generally up to 3 years, and each extension is up to 2 years.
Sources: uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, uscis.gov, federalregister.gov. The information above is current as of November 6, 2026. Immigration rules and fees may change, so check the latest official requirements before you file.
Attorney Advertising. This article is general information and is not legal advice on any particular case. Eligibility, procedures and outcomes depend on the facts of each case, the applicable law and the decision of the government agency.