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L-1 Visas Intra-Company Transferees

L-1 visas are designed for employees being transferred within a company to work in the United States. This visa facilitates the movement of employees from a foreign branch, parent company, affiliate, or subsidiary to a U.S. office. To qualify, employees must have worked continuously for the foreign company for at least one year within the past three years.

There are two primary categories of L-1 visas:


L-1A Visa

  • Purpose: Designed for managerial and executive personnel. It also allows a foreign company without a U.S. office to send an executive or manager to establish one.
  • Eligibility: The employee must be employed in a managerial or executive capacity and must continue in a similar role in the U.S. The U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign entity.

L-1B Visa

  • Purpose: For employees with specialized knowledge that is crucial to the company’s operations. It also enables a foreign company without a U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee to help set one up.
  • Eligibility: The employee must have specialized knowledge about the company's products, services, research, techniques, management, or other interests. The U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign entity.

Blanket L Petitions

Some organizations can use a Blanket L Petition to streamline the L-1 visa process. This method pre-establishes inter-company relationships and simplifies individual L-1 petitions.


Eligibility for Blanket L Certification:

  • Commercial Trade or Services: The employer and its qualifying organizations must be engaged in commercial trade or services.
  • Operational Criteria: The employer should have a U.S. office operating for at least one year and maintain three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates.
  • Qualifying Criteria:

- L-1 Approvals: The employer has obtained at least 10 L-1 approvals in the past 12 months with other qualifying organizations.

- Sales Volume: The U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates have a combined annual sales volume of at least $25 million.

- Workforce Size: The employer has a U.S. workforce of at least 1,000 employees.


Process for Blanket L Certification:

  • Approval: While the Blanket L Petition does not guarantee L-1 classification for an employee, it allows the employer to transfer eligible employees to the U.S. without filing individual petitions.
  • Documentation: After obtaining Blanket L Certification, the employer must complete Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition, and provide it to the employee along with a copy of the Blanket Petition Approval Notice and other required documents.
  • Visa Application: The employee uses these documents to apply for the L-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Individual L-1 Visa Application Process

  • Petition Filing: The U.S. employer files Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the Vermont Service Center. The petition must include an L Supplement.
  • Evidence Submission: The petition should include proof that the employee has worked for the foreign company for at least one year within the past three years and will continue to work for the same organization in the U.S. The employer must also demonstrate that the employee will be filling an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge position.
  • Petition Approval: Once approved, USCIS informs both the employer and the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The beneficiary then submits their visa application to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Key Points to Remember:

  • The L-1 visa is designed for intra-company transfers and requires proof of continuous employment abroad and a qualifying relationship between the U.S. and foreign company.
  • The L-1A is for managers and executives, while the L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge.
  • The process for both individual and blanket L-1 visas involves filing detailed petitions, providing necessary documentation, and receiving approval from USCIS.

For further guidance or assistance with L-1 visas, contacting an immigration attorney or specialist can be beneficial.