Intracompany Transfer Visa
Transfer of executives, managers, or specialized knowledge employees within multinational companies.
Official Reference: USCIS.gov →
1What Is This Visa?
The L-1 visa enables multinational companies to transfer certain employees from foreign offices to US offices. L-1A is for executives and managers, while L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, services, or procedures. The employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding the transfer.
2Who Is This Visa For?
- ✓Executives managing major functions or divisions
- ✓Managers who supervise professional staff or manage essential functions
- ✓Employees with proprietary knowledge of company systems or processes
- ✓Companies establishing new US offices (with limitations)
- ✓Multinational corporations with qualifying relationships between entities
3What This Visa Does NOT Allow
- ✗Working for companies outside the multinational organization
- ✗Individuals who haven't completed one year with the foreign company
- ✗Positions that don't genuinely qualify as executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge
- ✗Using L-1 as a way to staff entry-level positions
- ✗New office L-1s beyond initial limitations without demonstrating business growth
4Common Mistakes & Risks
- !Overstating the managerial or executive nature of the position
- !Insufficient documentation of the qualifying relationship between companies
- !New office petitions without realistic business plans showing ability to support the position
- !Not meeting the one-year foreign employment requirement
- !Confusing specialized knowledge with general industry expertise
5Does This Lead to a Green Card?
L-1A holders (executives and managers) may qualify for EB-1C green cards without labor certification, making this one of the faster paths to permanent residence. L-1B holders typically go through PERM labor certification like H-1B holders.
6Strategic Notes
L-1 is particularly valuable for multinational companies and their employees because it's not subject to annual caps like H-1B. The L-1A to EB-1C pathway is one of the most efficient routes to permanent residence for qualifying executives and managers. However, USCIS scrutiny of L-1B (specialized knowledge) petitions has increased significantly.
7Legal Notice
This content provides general legal information only and does not constitute immigration advice. Immigration law is complex, changes frequently, and individual circumstances vary significantly. The information presented is referenced from official U.S. government sources but should not be relied upon for individual decision-making. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
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At this stage, the following documents are typically required:
- • Service Agreement
- • NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)
- • Independent Contractor Agreement