L-1A, L-1B, EB-1C

Intracompany transfers

The L-1 visa lets a multinational company transfer an employee to a related U.S. office. L-1A covers managers and executives, and L-1B covers employees with specialized knowledge. Companies opening their first U.S. office can also use the category. The L-1A path often leads to a green card through the EB-1C category.

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Last reviewed September 2026

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Who this is for

Managers and executives of companies with operations abroad
Specialists with knowledge of the company's products or processes
Foreign companies opening a U.S. subsidiary, branch or affiliate

How we help

Corporate relationship: We document the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities.
Role analysis: We describe managerial, executive or specialized duties in the detail officers expect.
New office petitions: We prepare the lease, structure, staffing plan and business plan for a first U.S. office.
Green card planning: We plan the EB-1C petition alongside the L-1 where it fits.

Forms involved

I-129Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (L-1)
I-140Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers (EB-1C)

Government filing fees are listed on our filing fees page.

Timeline

Premium processing is available for L-1 petitions. New office approvals are usually granted for one year, followed by an extension that shows the office has grown.

Document checklist

A starting list. We send a checklist for your case after the consultation.

Organizational charts for the foreign and U.S. entities
Evidence of ownership and the corporate relationship
Proof of one continuous year of employment abroad within the last three years
For new offices: lease, business plan and funding evidence

Questions clients ask

How long must I have worked abroad?

At least one continuous year within the three years before the petition, for a qualifying related company.

How long can I stay?

L-1A allows up to seven years in total and L-1B up to five years.

Can a small company use L-1?

Yes, if the corporate relationship and the role qualify. Officers look closely at whether a manager will manage people or an essential function, not only perform daily tasks.

What is EB-1C?

A green card category for multinational managers and executives. It does not require labor certification.

Can my spouse work?

L-2 spouses are authorized to work incident to status. See our page on spouse work permits.

Is there an extra fee for large employers?

Petitioners with 50 or more U.S. employees, more than half of whom hold H-1B or L-1 status, pay an additional $4,500 under Public Law 114-113, according to the current fee schedule.

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