L1A Visa: Intra-Company Transferees

What is L1A Visa

The L1A Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international companies to transfer executives or managers from a foreign office to a U.S. office. It also enables foreign businesses without a U.S. presence to send an executive or manager to establish a new office in the United States. The L1A is ideal for intracompany transfers involving leadership roles.

L1A Visa Requirements

To qualify for an L1A Visa, the applicant must meet the following:

• The employee must have worked outside the U.S. for at least 1 continuous year within the past 3 years for a qualifying organization.

• The U.S. and foreign companies must have a qualifying relationship (e.g., parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary).

• The position in the U.S. must be executive or managerial in nature.

• If establishing a new U.S. office, the company must show a physical location and ability to support a managerial role within one year.

L1A Visa Process

Here are the typical steps in the L1A visa application process:

1. Employer files Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) with USCIS.

2. Submit evidence showing the qualifying relationship and the managerial/executive role.

3. After approval, the employee applies for the L1A visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate using Form DS-160.

4. Attend a visa interview, submit biometrics, and present required documentation.

5. If approved, the visa is issued, allowing entry to the U.S. to work for the U.S. branch.

L1A Visa Processing Time

• USCIS Processing Time: Typically 1 to 6 months, depending on the service center and workload.

• Premium Processing (Optional): 15 calendar days with an additional fee.

• Consular Processing Time: Varies by country but generally takes a few weeks after USCIS approval.

• New Office Petitions: Usually granted for 1 year initially, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 7 years.