L-1A Visa: Intracompany Transferee — Executive or Manager

Transfer Key Talent to Lead Your U.S. Operations

The L-1A visa is a powerful nonimmigrant visa option that allows international companies to transfer executives or managers from an affiliated foreign office to a U.S. branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate.

The L-1A is an essential tool for multinational businesses that need to expand operations, open a new office in the U.S., or bring proven leadership talent to direct their U.S. operations.

✅ What Is the L-1A Visa?

The L-1A Intracompany Transferee Visa enables qualifying foreign executives and managers to live and work in the United States to manage people, oversee essential company functions, or set company direction.

It is also commonly used by foreign companies that do not yet have a U.S. presence and wish to send an executive or manager to establish a new office.

✅ Who Qualifies for an L-1A Visa?

For the Employer (Petitioner):
✅ Must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company — meaning the U.S. entity and the foreign entity must be a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.
✅ Must currently be doing business in the U.S. and at least one other country (directly or through a related organization) during the beneficiary’s stay.

For the Employee (Beneficiary):
✅ Must have been employed outside the U.S. full-time for at least one continuous year within the past three years before applying.
✅ Must have been employed in an executive or managerial capacity abroad and be coming to the U.S. to work in a similar executive or managerial role.

✅ How USCIS Defines Executive and Manager Roles

✅ Executive Capacity: The employee primarily directs the management of the organization or a major component/function, sets goals and policies, exercises wide latitude in decision-making, and receives only general supervision from higher executives or the board.

✅ Managerial Capacity: The employee manages a department, function, or essential part of the organization, supervises and controls the work of other professional or managerial employees, or manages an essential function with discretion over day-to-day operations.

✅ Key Benefits of the L-1A Visa

✅ New Office Setup: Allows foreign companies to send an executive or manager to open a new U.S. office — with an initial stay of up to one year to establish the office.

✅ Longer Stay: Approved executives and managers may stay for an initial period of up to three years (one year for new offices) with extensions available in two-year increments, up to a maximum of seven years.

✅ Spouse Work Authorization: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can accompany the L-1A visa holder under L-2 status, and spouses may apply for work authorization in the U.S.

✅ No Annual Cap: Unlike the H-1B visa, the L-1A is not subject to an annual lottery or cap.

✅ Pathway to Green Card: The L-1A is a popular stepping stone to a green card under the EB-1C Multinational Manager or Executive immigrant category — which does not require a PERM labor certification.

✅ How the L-1A Process Works

📌 Step 1 — Confirm Qualifying Relationship:
Prove that the U.S. and foreign entities have a valid parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate relationship.

📌 Step 2 — File Form I-129:
The U.S. employer files Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with the L supplement, providing detailed evidence about the company, the foreign employment, and the U.S. job duties.

📌 Step 3 — New Office Petitions:
If opening a new U.S. office, show a viable plan for operations, sufficient physical premises, and the ability to support an executive or managerial role within a year.

📌 Step 4 — Consular Processing or Change of Status:
Once USCIS approves the petition, the executive or manager applies for an L-1A visa at a U.S. consulate (if outside the U.S.) or changes status if already in the U.S.

📌 Step 5 — Enter the U.S. and Begin Work:
Start working in the approved role, follow visa compliance rules, and plan for possible extensions or green card transition.

✅ Common Uses for the L-1A Visa

✅ Transferring senior executives to run or expand a U.S. branch or subsidiary.
✅ Launching a new U.S. office for a foreign company entering the U.S. market.
✅ Consolidating management teams in the U.S. for regional or global oversight.
✅ Streamlining the path to permanent residency for executives and managers.

✅ How USCIS Expert Helps

Launching or expanding a U.S. operation — or securing an executive transfer — requires precision, clear evidence, and strong legal support. At USCIS Expert, we help you:

✅ Prove the qualifying corporate relationship and the executive or managerial role.
✅ Prepare a complete, well-documented I-129 petition to maximize approval odds.
✅ Handle new office petitions with detailed business plans, financial projections, and lease agreements.
✅ Guide your executive or manager through visa interviews and entry to the U.S.
✅ Develop a clear plan to transition from L-1A to a green card if desired.

Expand Your Business — Bring Your Leadership Here

The L-1A visa empowers global companies to succeed in the U.S. market with trusted leadership at the helm. Let USCIS Expert handle the complexities — so you can focus on your company’s growth.

Contact us today to learn how to transfer an executive or manager to the U.S. under the L-1A visa — and build your vision with confidence.