L-1 Visa Attorney
Transfer key executives, managers, and specialized-knowledge employees from your foreign offices to the United States. We guide multinational companies through L-1A, L-1B, blanket, and new-office petitions.
What Is the L-1 Visa?
What this means for you
Move your best people to the U.S. — fast. The L-1 has no annual cap and no lottery, lets you transfer managers, executives, and specialized-knowledge staff, and gives L-1A holders a direct path to an EB-1C green card.
The L-1 visa lets a multinational company transfer an employee from a qualifying foreign office to a related U.S. entity. Because there is no annual cap and no labor market test, it is one of the most flexible ways to build a U.S. team.
There are two subcategories — L-1A for managers and executives, and L-1B for specialized-knowledge workers — plus a blanket option for frequent transfers and a new-office option for companies launching their first U.S. presence.
The Atlas advantage
Work directly with your attorney
Same-day response guarantee
Flat fees, no surprises
L-1A vs. L-1B
The L-1 has two subcategories based on the employee's role. Identifying the right one is critical for a successful petition:
L-1A — Managers & Executives
Up to 7 years, with a direct EB-1C green card path.
- Manages the organization, a department, or an essential function.
- Supervises professional staff or sets policy and goals.
- Direct path to the EB-1C green card.
L-1B — Specialized Knowledge
Up to 5 years for proprietary expertise.
- Special knowledge of company products, services, or processes.
- Advanced or proprietary expertise not readily available.
- Can transition to H-1B or an EB-2/EB-3 green card.
Not sure whether your transfer fits L-1A or L-1B? We'll review the role and corporate structure and tell you straight.
L-1 Visa Requirements
Every L-1 petition rests on four core requirements that USCIS examines closely — here is what each demands and how we help you meet it:
Qualifying Corporate Relationship
The U.S. and foreign companies must share a qualifying relationship — parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.
How we help: We document ownership and corporate structure so the relationship is established beyond question.
One Year of Employment Abroad
The employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the preceding three.
How we help: We assemble employment records and confirm the qualifying year before filing.
Qualifying Role Abroad
That foreign employment must have been in an executive, managerial, or specialized-knowledge capacity.
How we help: We define and evidence the role so it clearly meets the L-1A or L-1B standard.
Qualifying U.S. Position
The employee must be coming to fill an executive, managerial, or specialized-knowledge role in the U.S.
How we help: We draft a job description and organizational evidence that aligns the U.S. role with the category.
The L-1 Petition Process Step by Step
Understanding each stage helps you prepare and reduces delays. We handle every detail to keep your transfer moving:
- 1
Evaluate the Relationship
We confirm the qualifying corporate relationship between the U.S. and foreign entities and verify employee eligibility.
- 2
Gather Documentation
We compile evidence of corporate structure, the employee's prior employment, and the proposed U.S. position.
- 3
File the I-129 Petition
We submit the L-1 petition to USCIS with supporting evidence. Premium processing is available.
- 4
USCIS Adjudication
USCIS reviews the petition and may issue a Request for Evidence. We respond thoroughly and on time.
- 5
Consular Processing or Start
If abroad, the employee attends a visa interview; if in the U.S., they may begin work upon approval.
Why Trust Atlas Immigration Law with Your L-1
L-1 petitions turn on two things USCIS scrutinizes hard: a clearly documented corporate relationship and a genuinely managerial or specialized role. That is exactly where we focus. Our team removes the guesswork:
Work directly with your attorney
No call centers, no handoffs — the lawyer building your case is the one you talk to.
Flat fees, known up front
You agree on the full cost before we start. No hourly billing, no surprises.
Same-day response
Questions during your case get a reply the same business day.
From a single executive transfer to a blanket program or a brand-new U.S. office, we build the corporate and role evidence that makes L-1 petitions succeed — and coordinate the EB-1C green card path when it's time.
Blanket L-1 for Frequent Transfers
Large multinationals with frequent transfer needs may qualify for blanket L-1 approval — a pre-approved program that lets employees apply directly at U.S. consulates instead of filing individual USCIS petitions. To qualify, a company generally must have:
- At least three offices (one in the U.S.), engaged in commercial trade.
- Either $25M+ in annual U.S. sales, 1,000+ U.S. employees, or 10+ approved L-1s in the prior year.
- A genuine ongoing need to transfer managers, executives, or specialized-knowledge staff.
The payoff is faster consular processing, no individual I-129 filings, and lower legal costs across multiple transfers.
New-Office L-1 for Launching U.S. Operations
Detailed Business Plan
Proposed U.S. operations, organizational structure, financial projections, and staffing.
Sufficient Premises
Evidence of physical space secured to commence operations.
Financial Ability
Proof the foreign parent can fund and operate the U.S. business.
Initial One-Year Approval
New-office petitions are approved for one year; extension requires showing the business is operational and viable.
Common Questions
L-1 Visa FAQs
L-1A is for managers and executives who supervise other professional employees or manage an essential function of the organization. L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, services, or processes. L-1A allows up to 7 years of stay and has a direct path to EB-1C green card, while L-1B allows up to 5 years.
Ready to transfer key employees?
Let's discuss your L-1 needs and plan the move for your managers, executives, or specialized-knowledge workers. It's completely free.