L-1 Intracompany Transferee
A temporary classification for transfers within a related international company.
Last verified: 2026-09-07
General overview
The L-1 classification is used when a qualifying organization transfers an employee from a related company abroad to a United States office. L-1A applies to executives and managers, while L-1B applies to employees with specialized knowledge. There are also provisions used when the transfer is intended to establish a new U.S. office.
Main application stages
- 1Corporate structure and role review with authorized U.S. counsel
- 2Petition prepared and filed with USCIS by counsel
- 3Consular visa application where applicable
- 4Admission and, where relevant, later extension requests
Who may consider this pathway
- Business owners and executives expanding into the United States
- Managers or specialists employed by a company with a related U.S. entity
- Canadian companies opening a U.S. branch or affiliate
General eligibility considerations
- A qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities
- Continuous qualifying employment abroad for the required period
- A role that fits the executive, managerial or specialized-knowledge definition
- Evidence that the U.S. entity is or will be doing business
Common documentation categories
- Corporate ownership and organizational charts
- Payroll, tax and business activity records
- Detailed job descriptions for the foreign and U.S. roles
- Business plan and premises evidence for a new office
Important limitations
- L-1 is temporary and tied to the sponsoring organization
- Specialized-knowledge cases are heavily scrutinized
- Whether a role qualifies is a legal determination for U.S. counsel
Frequently asked questions
Is L-1 a green card?
No. It is a temporary classification, although some L-1A executives later explore permanent categories with counsel.
Can Kohanbaba prepare the petition?
No. We help organize corporate and personal documentation; the petition itself is prepared and filed by an authorized U.S. attorney.
Official sources
- USCIS — L-1A intracompany transferee executive or manager
- USCIS — L-1B intracompany transferee specialized knowledge
Last verified: 2026-09-07
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