JLA Law Group

L-1 Visa for Multinational Employees — Norcross, Georgia Immigration Attorneys

Case Evaluation→(770) 609-9396

The L-1 intracompany transferee visa allows multinational companies to transfer qualified employees from a foreign affiliate, subsidiary, parent, or branch to a US office. There are two categories: L-1A for managers and executives, and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge. Under INA § 101(a)(15)(L) and 8 CFR § 214.2(l), the employee must have worked for the qualifying organization abroad for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding the petition.

L-1A status is particularly powerful because it serves as a direct pathway to the EB-1C immigrant visa (multinational manager/executive), allowing eligible employees to pursue permanent residence without undergoing the PERM labor certification process. L-1A holders are initially admitted for up to three years (one year if entering to open a new office), with extensions available in two-year increments up to a maximum of seven years. L-1B holders may remain for a maximum of five years.

JLA Law Group assists multinational employers and employees throughout the Atlanta metro area with L-1 petitions, extensions, and EB-1C green card applications. Whether you are opening a new US office or transferring a senior leader, we prepare comprehensive petitions that document the qualifying relationship between entities, the employee's qualifying role abroad, and the managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity in the US position.

Steps You Should Take

1

Confirm Qualifying Organizational Relationship

We analyze the corporate structure — articles of incorporation, ownership records, organizational charts — to confirm that the US and foreign entities have a qualifying parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch relationship as required under 8 CFR § 214.2(l).

2

Document One Year of Qualifying Foreign Employment

We gather employment records, job descriptions, org charts, and performance reviews from the foreign entity to prove the employee worked in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity for at least one year within the past three years.

3

Prepare and File Form I-129 with L Classification Supplement

We prepare a complete L-1 petition with detailed support letters, evidence of the qualifying relationship, and documentation of the US position. We advise on concurrent consular processing or change of status depending on the employee's current immigration status.

4

Plan the Green Card Strategy if L-1A

If the employee is an L-1A manager or executive, we begin planning the EB-1C immigrant visa petition immediately. L-1A holders can file for EB-1C without PERM, and priority dates are often current for most nationalities. Call JLA Law Group at (770) 609-9396 to start your L-1 case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between L-1A and L-1B?
L-1A is for managers and executives — those who direct the organization or a key function, supervise other supervisors or professionals, and have authority over key business decisions. L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge — deep knowledge of the company's products, services, research, equipment, techniques, or management. L-1A leads to EB-1C permanent residence; L-1B does not have a direct equivalent immigrant visa.
What qualifies as a 'qualifying organization' for L-1?
A qualifying organization is a US employer and a related foreign entity that have one of four relationships: parent and subsidiary, affiliates (common ownership and control), or branches of the same legal entity. The entities must be doing business — actively providing goods or services — not merely maintaining a paper office.
Can I switch jobs while on L-1 status?
No. L-1 status is employer-specific. You may only work for the petitioning US employer in the position described in the approved petition. Changing employers requires a new nonimmigrant petition. However, being promoted or transferred within the same organization to another qualifying position may be permissible with an amended petition.
Can my spouse work on an L-2 visa?
Yes. Since January 30, 2022 (following the Shergill v. Mayorkas settlement), L-2 spouses have automatic work authorization incident to their status. USCIS updated policy to recognize that L-2 spouses do not need a separate EAD to work — their L-2 I-94 combined with identity documentation suffices, though obtaining an EAD provides cleaner proof for employers.
What is a blanket L petition?
Large multinational companies that frequently transfer employees may file a blanket L petition with USCIS, obtaining pre-approval of the qualifying relationships. Thereafter, individual employees can apply for L-1 visas at a US consulate without filing separate I-129 petitions, significantly streamlining high-volume transfers.

Applicable Laws

INA § 101(a)(15)(L) / 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(L)Statutory definition of L nonimmigrant classification for intracompany transferees serving as managers, executives, or specialized knowledge employees.
8 CFR § 214.2(l)Comprehensive USCIS regulations governing L-1 petitions including qualifying relationships, qualifying employment, definitions of manager, executive, and specialized knowledge, new office rules, blanket petitions, and extensions.
INA § 203(b)(1)(C) / 8 U.S.C. § 1153(b)(1)(C)EB-1C immigrant visa category for multinational managers and executives, the natural progression from L-1A status, exempt from PERM labor certification requirement.
8 CFR § 204.5(j)USCIS regulations for EB-1C petitions, including the requirement that the beneficiary was employed as a manager or executive abroad for at least one year in the three years preceding the US petition.

Related Services

Visa EB-1 Trabajador PrioritarioLey de InmigraciónVisa O-1 de Habilidad ExtraordinariaLey de InmigraciónPermisos de TrabajoLey de Inmigración

Other Immigration Law Services

G
Green Card
D
Deportation Defense
A
Asylum
V
VAWA
U
U-Visa
D
DACA
N
Naturalization
F
Family Petitions
W
Work Permits
C
Cancellation of Removal
I
I-601 Waiver
M
Marriage Green Card
A
Adjustment of Status
H
H-1B Visa
T
Temporary Protected Status
S
Special Immigrant Juvenile
C
Criminal & Immigration
I
I-751 Removal of Conditions
C
Consular Processing
I
Immigration Bond
H
Habeas Corpus Petition
T
TPS for El Salvador
T
TPS for Honduras
T
TPS for Venezuela
C
Cuban Adjustment Act
T
TN Visa
T
T-Visa (Trafficking Victims)
K
K-1 Fiancé Visa
A
Advance Parole
B
BIA Appeal
E
E-2 Investor Visa
S
Section 245(i) Adjustment
P
PERM Labor Certification
E
EB-2 National Interest Waiver
G
Green Card Renewal (I-90)
A
Affirmative Asylum
M
Military Parole in Place
F
FOIA Requests
I
I-539 Extension of Stay
O
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
E
EB-1 Priority Worker Visa
E
EB-3 Skilled Worker Visa
R
R-1 Religious Worker Visa
N
NACARA Relief
C
Convention Against Torture (CAT)
W
Withholding of Removal
2
212(h) Criminal Waiver
2
212(i) Fraud Waiver
J
J-1 Visa Waiver
I
I-212 Permission to Reapply
M
Motion to Reopen
V
Voluntary Departure
P
Prosecutorial Discretion
K
Know Your Immigration Rights

Case Evaluation

Talk to a l-1 intracompany transfer visa attorney today.

Schedule Consultation(770) 609-9396

1250 Tech Dr, Suite 240

Norcross, GA 30093

Don't Wait. Every Day Counts.

The law has deadlines. Protect your rights today.

(770) 609-9396Online Consultation
CallConsult