Understanding the L-1 Visa

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from foreign offices to affiliated U.S. offices in managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge roles.

Written By: Alison Moodie Reviewed By: Hasalyn Modine Updated April 3, 2025

What is the L-1 Visa?

L-1 visas allow multinational companies to transfer managers, executives, and specialized knowledge employees to U.S. offices temporarily.

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L-1A and L-1B Visa Comparison

The L-1 visa is divided into two subcategories:

L-1A: Enables temporary relocation of managerial and executive personnel to affiliated U.S. companies

L-1B: Allows relocation of employees with specialized knowledge of company operations, products, or processesto related U.S. facilities.

L-1 Visa Requirements

L-1 eligibility generally requires at least one year of qualifying foreign employment, a qualifying corporate relationship, and a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role.

For the Employee (L-1 Applicant):

Must have been employed by the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years.

Must be coming to the U.S. in a managerial or executive role

For L-1B: Should possess specialized organizational knowledge.

For the Employer (Sponsor):

Must maintain a qualifying relationship with the overseas organization.

Must conduct business operations in the United States and at least one other country.

L-1 Visa Cost

L-1 costs: $1,385 I-129 fee (+$500 fraud fee if applicable) + $2,805 premium processing option

L-1 Visa Timeline

L-1 processing: Varies by location/case, with 15-45 day option via premium processing.

L-1 Visa Process

To apply for an L-1 visa, both the sponsoring employer and the L-1 visa applicant must follow a specific process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an L-1 visa:

Sponsoring Employer’s Role:

Submit Form I-129: The U.S. employer should submit Form I-129 (Application for a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) to USCIS. This application typically contains a comprehensive outline of the employment role, documentation of the qualifying relationship between the overseas company and the American organization, and employee’s qualifications and credentials.

Submit Government Processing Costs: The company should pay the required filing fees for Form I-129 and any supplementary charges, including the anti-fraud fee or premium processing fee, when relevant.

L-1 Visa Applicant’s Role:

Fill DS-160 Form: After the Form I-129 request receives approval, the visa candidate must finish the Form DS-160 (Digital Temporary Visa Request) through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) platform.

Submit Visa Processing Cost: Following submission of Form DS-160, the candidate must remit the mandatory visa processing cost to the U.S. embassy or consulate where the visa appointment will be arranged

Applicants attend an L-1 visa interview at a nearby U.S. consulate with the required supporting documents.