One Company. Two Markets. A Bigger Future.
Business owners and their key managers can acquire residency in the U.S. by creating or acquiring a company in the U.S.
What Is the L-1 Visa?
The Corporate Transfer Visa for Multinational Employment.
The L-1 intracompany transfer visa allows multinational companies to transfer executives, managers (L-1A), or employees with specific company knowledge (L-1B) from a foreign entity to a U.S. entity. The visa applies to specific roles within the corporate structure.
L-1A visa holders are uniquely positioned to pursue the EB-1C Multinational Manager Green Card — making the L-1 visa not just a work authorization, but the first step in a direct path to permanent U.S. residency. Our law practice helps companies navigate every stage of the L-1 visa process.
5–7 Yrs
Total Duration
Allowed
Immigrant Intent
EB-1C
Green Card Path
Key Benefits
Why People Choose L-1 Visa
01
Direct Green Card Path (L-1A)
L-1A executives/managers have a direct pathway to the EB-1C Green Card — bypassing PERM labor certification.
02
Allows for Immigrant Intent
Unlike other nonimmigrant visas, the L-1 visa allows applicants to have immigrant intent and therefore they cannot be denied for this reason at the consulate.
03
Available to All Nationalities
Unlike the E-2 visa, for example, the L-1 is available to absolutely all nationalities.
04
Previous Denials?
Sometimes an L-1 is a good choice for people with previous nonimmigrant visa denials, since the L-1 category allows for immigrant intent.
05
No Labor Market Test
No PERM labor certification or DOL recruitment campaign required.
06
Family Included
Spouse and children under 21 admitted as L-2 dependents and may attend U.S. schools.
For You If
This is the right fit
- Your company has a qualifying foreign entity and U.S. entity
- You or your employee has worked for the company abroad for 1+ years
- The role is executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge
- L-1A holders are considering the EB-1C Green Card path
Not the Right Fit If
This is not for you
- There is no qualifying corporate relationship between the foreign and US entities
- The employee hasn’t worked for the foreign company for at least 1 year
- The size and employee structure of your foreign company does not meet the L-1 criteria
Requirements
What’s Required
01
Qualifying Corporate Relationship
The U.S. and foreign companies must have a subsidiary or affiliate relationship. Affiliated relationships are those with the same controlling shareholders at both companies.
02
1 Year of Foreign Employment
The employee must have worked for the qualifying organization abroad for at least 1 continuous year within the 3-year period preceding the visa application.
03
Qualifying Role
The L-1A applicant manages a staff overseas of 10+ employees and will do so at the U.S. company.
04
Evidence of U.S. Company Operations
It must be a real operating enterprise. For new startups, a business plan showing employment of at least 8 employees after the first year is required.
Application Process
The L-1 Visa Journey, Step by Step
Weeks 1–2
Corporate Structure Review
We verify the qualifying corporate relationship, review ownership documentation, and confirm visa eligibility under immigration law.
Weeks 2–4
Employee Qualification
We assess the transferee’s qualifying role and employment history — and document it to meet the specific visa law standard.
Weeks 4–8
Visa Application Preparation
We draft the I-129 visa application, corporate documentation, and for new establishments, a comprehensive business plan.
Filing
Filing & Status Management
We file the petition with USCIS using standard or premium processing. Cases with premium processing get reviewed within 15 business days and respond to any possible RFEs. If the applicant is in the U.S., they can apply for change of status. Otherwise the applicant signs up for a consular interview in their home country.
Ongoing
Extensions & Green Card Planning
We manage L-1 visa extensions and, for L-1A holders, develop the EB-1C Green Card strategy in parallel.
Our Services
What AmLaw Does on a L-1 Visa Case
01
Corporate Structure Documentation
Ownership records, financial statements, org charts, and evidence of both entities’ ongoing operations supporting the visa application.
02
Employee Role Analysis
Careful documentation of actual day-to-day employment duties to meet the specific visa law standard.
03
New Establishment Business Plans
Comprehensive business plans for new U.S. establishment L-1 visa applications, including 5-year projections and organizational structure.
04
I-129 Visa Application Filing
Full visa application preparation and filing, with premium processing where applicable.
05
Visa Extension Management
Annual visa extensions for new establishment L-1s, including updated operational evidence after year one.
06
EB-1C Green Card Pipeline
Parallel development of the EB-1C I-140 visa application for L-1A managers and executives seeking permanent residency.
Why Choose AmLaw
This Practice Was Built Differently.
Selective, Not Volume-Based
Fewer cases — not more. Every client receives direct attorney oversight. You work with the person who knows your case.
Strategy Before Paperwork
We build your immigration strategy first, then structure documentation around it. The form is the last step, not the first.
Long-Term Outcome Focus
We plan the full lifecycle of your case from day one and remain available after approval.
Built for Investors & Talent
Designed around entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, and exceptional professionals. We understand the financial dimensions others miss.
Direct Attorney Access
No junior associates handling your case unsupervised. Senior attorneys review and sign off on all filings.
Multilingual Team
English and Russian — so complex legal concepts are communicated clearly, not lost in translation.
Testimonials
Trusted by Families Worldwide
Incredible team. From the moment we started working together, it was clear that AmLaw Group operates at a completely different level than general immigration firms.
AmLaw consistently went above and beyond. They anticipated issues before they arose and kept us fully informed throughout the entire process. First-submission approval.
Charles and his team structured our case from scratch. Exceptional firm — detailed, strategic, and genuinely invested in our outcome.
FAQ
Common Questions
How long must I have worked for the company to qualify for the L-1 visa?
You must have been employed by the qualifying organization abroad for at least 1 continuous year within the 3-year period immediately preceding your visa application filing date.
What is the difference between L-1A and L-1B visa?
L-1A visa is for executives and managers and offers a direct path to the EB-1C Green Card. L-1B visa is for employees with specific knowledge of the company’s proprietary products, systems, or methods.
Can I open a new U.S. establishment with an L-1 visa?
Yes. The L-1 visa new establishment provision allows a foreign company to transfer a qualifying employee to open a U.S. enterprise. However, the initial visa approval is only for 1 year and must be renewed with evidence of employment and operational growth.
Can the L-1A visa lead to a Green Card?
Yes. L-1A visa holders who are managers and executives have a direct pathway to the EB-1C Multinational Manager Green Card under immigration law, bypassing the labor certification process.
Can my spouse work in the U.S. with L-2 status?
Yes. L-2 dependent spouses of L-1 visa holders are authorized for employment in the United States incident to their L-2 status — no separate authorization required, following a 2022 policy change.
Contact Us
Book a Strategy Session
Every case starts with a complimentary, frank conversation about your goals, your timeline, and your situation. Confidential, focused, and no obligation.
Office
1920 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Suite 709 · Hallandale Beach, FL
Attorney advertising. Charles Raether, Esq. is responsible for the content of this page. Principal office: 1920 E Hallandale Beach Blvd, Suite 709, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.