L-1A and-L1B VISAS

INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE

Areas of Practice

L-1A and L-1B Visas (Intracompany Transferee)

TN Visa (NAFTA Professionals)
H1B Employment Visa

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EXECUTIVE/MANAGER OR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

What’s the L-1 visa?

The L-1 visa is for people who already work for a company outside the U.S. and are being transferred to that same company’s office in the U.S.

Think of it like: “You already work for us abroad — now we need you in the U.S. office.”

It’s super common for global companies moving managers, execs, or specialists to help run things, launch projects, or share expertize.

L-1A vs. L-1B — what’s the difference?

There are two types of L-1 visas:

L-1A (Managers & Executives)
You’re leading teams, making big decisions, or running part of the company.
L-1B (Specialized Knowledge)
You have deep, company-specific knowledge (like systems, products, or processes that aren’t easy to replace).

Do you qualify?

For the employee, the basics are:

You must work for a company with a U.S. office (parent, branch, affiliate, etc.)
You’re being transferred into a qualifying role (manager, exec, or specialist)
You’ve worked for that company at least 1 year in the last 3 years (outside the U.S.)

Manager vs. Executive — quick breakdown

Executives: Set strategy, goals, and direction
Managers: Run teams or key functions and make sure things get done

Even if you don’t manage people, you could still qualify as a functional manager if you’re in charge of an important part of the business.

For the company (employer)

They also need to check a few boxes:

Have a real relationship between the U.S. and foreign office
Be actively doing business in the U.S. (or setting up a new office)
Offer you a legit job and sponsor your visa

What does it cost?

Typical fees include:

~$1,385 to file the main petition (less for small companies/nonprofits)
Possible $500 anti-fraud fee
Optional premium processing (~$2,805) if you want things faster
- the new $250 integrity fee (starting 2025)

How long does it take?

L-1 is actually one of the faster work visas:

Regular processing → varies
Premium processing → expect a decision or RFE within 15 business days

How the process works

Here’s the simplified version:

Step 1: Employer files petition

This is to show you qualify and prove the company connection.

Step 2: Employee applies for the visa

Once approved:

Fill out the DS-160 form
Pay the visa fee
Book your embassy interview

Step 3: Interview time

Bring your documents, job details, and be ready to explain your role.

Why people like the L-1 visa

No need for a lottery (unlike some other visas 👀)
Faster processing
Great for internal company transfers
Can sometimes lead to a green card later on

If you already work for a global company, the L-1 visa is one of the most straightforward ways to move to the U.S. temporarily — especially if you’re in a leadership role or have specialized knowledge the company really needs.

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