L-1 Visa Lawyer | Transfer Executives, Managers & Specialized Knowledge Employees to the U.S.
The L-1 visa allows international companies to transfer key employees—executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers—to their U.S. office. It is also one of the most common visas used when a foreign company wants to establish a new office in the United States.
For growing companies, the L-1 visa offers a strategic way to bring leadership talent into the U.S. without facing lottery restrictions or annual caps.
At AB Legal Consult, we help multinational companies, startups, and expanding businesses prepare strong L-1A and L-1B petitions that meet strict USCIS requirements. Whether you are transferring an existing employee or opening a new U.S. operation, we guide you through the entire process with clarity and precision.
What Is the L-1 Visa Category?
The L-1 is a nonimmigrant work visa for employees transferring from a foreign company to a related U.S. company. It is divided into two categories:
• L-1A: Managers and executives
• L-1B: Employees with specialized knowledge
Both categories require a qualifying relationship between the U.S. and foreign company.
Common qualifying relationships include:
• Parent company
• Branch
• Subsidiary
• Affiliate
The L-1 is widely used in technology, consulting, engineering, finance, manufacturing, logistics, and international e-commerce operations.
L-1A Visa: Executives and Managers
The L-1A category is for employees who primarily perform executive or managerial duties in the foreign company and will continue in a similar role in the U.S.
Executive duties may include:
• Directing the management of the company or major division
• Establishing company goals and policies
• Exercising wide discretionary decision-making authority
• Receiving limited supervision
Managerial duties may include:
• Managing a department, team, or key function
• Supervising and controlling the work of professional employees
• Having authority over hiring, firing, and personnel decisions
• Controlling day-to-day operations within the area of responsibility
L-1A employees have a clear pathway to the EB-1C multinational manager/executive green card.
L-1B Visa: Specialized Knowledge Employees
The L-1B category is for employees who possess unique knowledge that is essential to the company’s operations, services, products, or proprietary processes.
This may include:
• Specialized company procedures or systems
• Product knowledge that is not easily transferable
• Proprietary manufacturing or technical processes
• Deep operational knowledge of company workflows
• Expertise that is critical to U.S. expansion
L-1B cases must clearly demonstrate why the knowledge is advanced, uncommon, and necessary.
Who Qualifies for an L-1 Visa?
To qualify for the L-1 category, the employee must meet the following:
• Worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the last three years
• Employed in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role abroad
• Coming to the U.S. to perform similar duties
• Transferring between companies with a qualifying relationship
• The foreign company must remain operational during the employee’s stay in the U.S.
Both the U.S. and foreign entities must show active business operations.
L-1 Visa for New U.S. Offices
Foreign companies expanding into the U.S. for the first time may apply for an L-1 new office petition.
To qualify, the U.S. office must show:
• Physical office space (leased or owned)
• A viable business plan
• Financial ability to support operations
• A plan to support executive or managerial duties within 1 year
• Corporate structure linking the U.S. and foreign company
New office petitions require detailed evidence and precise documentation—we help structure everything from the business plan to organizational charts.
Benefits of the L-1 Visa
The L-1 visa offers several advantages over other employment visas:
• No annual cap or lottery
• Faster processing with premium processing
• Spouses (L-2) can apply for work authorization
• Dual intent is allowed (pathway to a green card)
• L-1A leads directly to EB-1C green card eligibility
• Suitable for startups, multinationals, and expanding companies
The L-1 Visa Application Process
Step 1: Eligibility Review
We analyze your company structure, employee duties, and supporting evidence to determine the strongest category.
Step 2: Evidence Development
We collect and organize documents demonstrating employment history, corporate relationships, and job duties.
Step 3: Supporting Letters
We draft detailed employer support letters outlining executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge responsibilities.
Step 4: Petition Preparation
We prepare forms, legal arguments, business plans (if needed), and all required corporate documentation.
Step 5: Filing with USCIS
Your petition is submitted with the complete evidence package. Premium processing is available.
Step 6: Consular Processing or Change of Status
Employees abroad attend a visa interview; employees in the U.S. may change to L-1 status.
Common Challenges in L-1 Cases
L-1 petitions are often denied for:
• Vague or weak job descriptions
• Insufficient proof of qualifying company relationship
• Inadequate evidence of managerial or executive duties
• Unclear specialized knowledge explanations
• Lack of U.S. office readiness (for new offices)
• Insufficient foreign company operations
We identify potential weaknesses early and structure your case to reduce risks and avoid RFEs.
How AB Legal Consult Helps With L-1 Visas
We provide complete support for both L-1A and L-1B cases, including:
• Eligibility assessment for employees and companies
• Preparation of organizational charts and corporate documents
• Drafting of detailed support letters
• Guidance on job duties and descriptions
• Business plans for new offices
• Petition preparation and evidence compilation
• RFE and NOID responses if needed
• Consular interview preparation
Our goal is to present a clear, well-documented case that meets every USCIS requirement.
Start Your L-1 Visa Process Today
Whether you are transferring key personnel or expanding your company into the United States, our firm is ready to help. We provide strategic guidance for L-1A, L-1B, and new office petitions to support your business growth.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an L-1 visa lawyer and begin your application.