L1A Visa: Everything You Should Know

Thinking about bringing your company’s top talent to the U.S.? The L1A visa is your go-to option for moving executives and managers across borders. Here’s a quick rundown of what it’s all about.

The L1A visa is designed for international businesses that want to transfer key people, like executives or senior managers, to their U.S. offices. It’s part of a broader family of L-type visas, but the L1A specifically focuses on leadership roles.

Whether you’re a big corporation or a growing business, this visa can help you expand into the U.S. market by moving trusted leaders from your overseas branches. The best part? The L1A visa process is streamlined compared to other work visas, and it’s even a solid first step toward a green card if long-term plans are on the table.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything: L1A visa requirements, eligibility, fees, processing time, extensions, and dependents. We’ll also cover the L1A vs L1B visa differences and explain a simplified process to go from an L1A visa to a green card. Let’s get right into it!

L1A Visa Requirements

The first thing we must discuss is L1A visa eligibility. Not everyone qualifies for the L1A visa. Here’s a clear look at what both your company and your employee need to check off the list before applying.

First up, your company must:

• Have a qualifying relationship with a foreign business. This means a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate (basically, any connected business counts).

• Be actively doing business in the U.S. and at least one other country during the entire time your employee is in the U.S. under the L1A visa. Good news: your company doesn’t have to be involved in international trade, but it must be providing goods or services regularly, not just sitting there with an office and no real activity.

Next, your employee (the visa applicant) must:

• Have worked continuously for at least one year within the last three years at your foreign office before applying.

• Be coming to the U.S. to work in an executive or managerial capacity for your U.S. office or another qualifying branch.

What does that mean exactly?

• Executive capacity: They make big decisions with a lot of independence, so they must be high-level leaders.

• Managerial capacity: They supervise and control a team of professionals, manage departments, or run key functions of the business. Sometimes, it can even mean managing a major business function without directly supervising people.

You Can Also Try to Establish a New Office in the US

Special case: setting up a new office. If you’re a foreign employer looking to send someone over to establish a new U.S. office, there are a few extra boxes to tick:

• You must have secured sufficient physical space (an actual office, not just a mailing address).

• The employee must have worked as an executive or manager for at least one continuous year in the past three years.

• Your new U.S. office must be able to support an executive or managerial role within one year after your petition is approved.

To kick off the L1A visa process, employers must file the USCIS Form I-129. Check out our detailed guide for the I-129 form.

The L1A Visa Process

Here’s a simple, step-by-step look at what to expect from start to finish.

• Get Your Documents in Order: Before anything else, make sure your company and employee meet all the L1A visa requirements. You’ll need to gather proof of the company’s qualifying relationship, evidence of doing business, and documents showing the employee’s executive or managerial role.

• File Form I-129: The employer files Form I-129 with USCIS to officially kick off the process. This is where you lay out the case for why your employee qualifies for the L1A. Your employee could benefit from professional work experience evaluations, academic evaluations, or expert letters of opinion to fully convince immigration officials of their credentials.

• Wait for USCIS to Review: Once your petition is in, USCIS will review everything.

• Get Approved: If everything looks good, USCIS will approve the petition. If you’re outside the U.S., your employee will then apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

• Visa Issued and Entry to the U.S.: After the consulate approves the visa, your employee is good to go! They can now travel to the U.S. and start working in their executive or managerial role.

That’s the full L1A visa process in a nutshell. Keep in mind: if your company is using premium processing, you might speed things up.

L1A Visa Processing Time

Here’s what you need to know about the typical processing time and the factors that can speed things up — or slow them down.

The standard processing time for the I-129 form (which is the petition for the L1A visa) can range from 3 to 7 months. However, the exact time can vary depending on several factors. USCIS tries to process petitions as fairly and quickly as possible, but things like the completeness of the petition, the type of nonimmigrant visa classification, and whether they need additional information or an interview can all influence how long it takes.

If your petition is incomplete or contains errors, USCIS may reject or deny it, which could delay the process. In some cases, USCIS might request more information or even require an interview, which could further extend the timeline. So, make sure everything is in order before filing!

L1A Visa Premium Processing Time

If you’re in a hurry and need things to move faster, you can request premium processing for your L1A visa petition. For an additional fee of 2,805, USCIS guarantees they will process the I-129 form within 15 to 45 calendar days.

Keep in mind, premium processing doesn’t mean your petition will be approved; it just means the processing will be expedited, so you get a faster decision. It’s available for certain visa classifications, including the L1A, and can be a great option if time is a factor for your business.

L1A Visa Fees and Costs

The fees for an L1A visa depend on whether you're filing as a regular petitioner, a small employer, or a nonprofit. Here’s what you can expect:

• Standard Filing Fee:

  • For regular petitioners, the filing fee for Form I-129 is $1,385 plus any additional fees that may apply.

  • If you’re filing as a small employer or a nonprofit, the filing fee is $695, plus additional fees if applicable.

• Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee: This is a $500 fee that applies in certain cases, such as:

  • Seeking initial approval for an L nonimmigrant (your employee).

  • Wanting to transfer an L nonimmigrant employee from another petitioner.

  • For blanket petitions, where the L nonimmigrant is moving to a new employer.

• Additional Fees for Larger Employers:

  • If you employ 50 or more people in the U.S., and more than 50% of those employees are in H-1B, L-1A, or L-1B nonimmigrant status, you’ll need to pay an additional $4,500 fee.

• Asylum Program Fee: Some petitioners may also need to pay an Asylum Program Fee, which varies depending on the situation.

If you’re paying by check or money order, make sure to submit each fee separately to avoid delays. For updated information, check out the USCIS official fee schedule.

L1A Visa Duration and Extensions

• Initial Stay for New Office: If your employee is coming to the U.S. to establish a new office, they’ll be allowed an initial stay of up to one year. This is a bit shorter to allow the business to set up and get running.

• Initial Stay for All Other L1A Employees: For employees coming to fill existing managerial or executive roles, the initial stay can be up to three years.

• Extensions: Once in the U.S., L1A visa holders can apply for extensions. Extensions are granted in increments of up to two years at a time. The total maximum stay for an L1A employee is seven years, so after that, they’ll need to leave the U.S. or switch to another visa status.

If your employee is on an L1A visa, planning for extensions is important to ensure they can stay in the U.S. as long as necessary.

L1A Visa for Spouse and Kids

Here’s everything you need to know about the L1A dependent visa for spouses and children.

When your employee comes to the U.S. on an L1A visa, their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old can come along too. They’ll be eligible for the L2 visa, a dependent visa that generally allows them to stay in the U.S. for the same duration as the primary L1A visa holder. We have a full article dedicated to the L2 visa, but here’s what the benefits they can receive:

• Changing Status or Extending Stay: If your spouse or children are already in the U.S. and want to change their status to an L2 or extend their stay, they can apply together using Form I-539.

• Work Authorization for Spouses: The spouse of an L-1 worker is automatically eligible to work in the U.S. while on an L2S visa. There are a few ways to prove this:

  • An unexpired Form I-94 with an L2S notation is enough to show employment authorization for your spouse. This form will work for employment eligibility verification under Form I-9.

  • If the spouse has an older Form I-94 with L2 status, they will also receive a notice from USCIS with instructions to show the new L2S admission code along with the I-94 for proof of work authorization.

  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD): If needed, your spouse can apply for an EAD with Form I-765 to get official proof of work authorization.

  • Expired EAD: In cases where the EAD has expired, there’s an automatic extension for eligible L2S visa holders.

Bringing your spouse and kids on the L1A visa is straightforward, and your spouse can work in the U.S. with the right documentation. Make sure you get all the paperwork to avoid any delays for your family.

From L1A Visa to Green Card

One of the perks of the L1A visa is that it can serve as a pathway to permanent residency in the U.S. Here’s how you can transition from an L1A visa to a green card, and the options available.

When it comes to getting a green card as an L1A visa holder, the most straightforward route is through the EB-1C category, which falls under the EB-1 First Preference visa. This is the ideal option for multinational executives and managers looking to apply for a green card.

Available Green Cards for L1A Visa Holders

There are three main types of employment-based green cards that L-1 visa holders may qualify for:

• EB-1 First Preference: This is the best option for most L-1A holders. The EB-1 is reserved for priority workers, including executives and managers. It doesn’t require the PERM Labor Certification, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. L-1A holders usually have the smoothest transition to the EB-1C.

• EB-2 Second Preference: This is for individuals with an advanced degree or exceptional ability in their field.

• EB-3 Third Preference: For professionals, skilled workers, and unskilled workers.

L-1A to Green Card Process

For L-1A visa holders, the EB-1C category is the most ideal choice. To qualify for the EB-1C category, you must meet these requirements:

• Work Experience: You must have worked as a manager or executive for your foreign company for at least one year within the last three years before filing.

• Qualifying Relationship: Your foreign company must have a qualifying relationship with the U.S. employer, and you must be coming to continue your managerial or executive role.

• U.S. Employer Requirements: The U.S. employer must have been doing business for at least one year.

Application Process

The green card process starts with the U.S. employer filing Form I-140, the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on your behalf. This petition must include supporting documentation to prove you meet the EB-1C requirements.

Once USCIS receives the petition, your priority date will be assigned. You’ll need to check the visa bulletin released monthly by the U.S. Department of State to see when your priority date becomes current. If the EB-1 category is current, you can file for an adjustment of status or go through consular processing to complete your application.

The process will involve additional steps like biometrics appointments and possibly an interview, but USCIS will provide all the details.

L1A vs L1B Visa

Confused between L1A and L1B? You’re not alone. We’ll compare them side by side — so you can figure out which one’s the right fit for your team.

FAQs About the L1A Visa

1. Can I switch employers while on an L1A visa?

No, the L1A visa is tied to the specific employer that sponsored your petition. If you want to change employers, you’ll need to explore other visa options or have the new company file a different visa petition.

2. Can my spouse work in the U.S. on an L1A dependent visa?

Yes! Your spouse can apply for work authorization (an EAD — Employment Authorization Document) once they’re in the U.S. on an L2 visa. After approval, they’re free to work for any employer.

3. Does the L1A visa require a job offer from a U.S. company?

Not exactly. The L1A is for employees already working for a foreign company that’s related to the U.S. entity (like a parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate). You’re being transferred within your company rather than hired fresh by a U.S. employer.

4. Can I study in the U.S. while on an L1A visa?

Yes, you can study part-time or take courses while on an L1A visa, but your main purpose in the U.S. must still be to work in your executive or managerial role.

5. Is there a cap or limit on the number of L1A visas issued each year?

Good news — there’s no annual cap on L1A visas! Unlike the H-1B visa, the L1A is not subject to a lottery system or yearly quota.

Is the L1A Visa Right for You?

The L1A visa is an excellent example of how convenient the U.S. immigration system can be for businesses. Whether you’re expanding your company to the U.S. or transferring your top executives and managers to oversee operations, the L1A visa streamlines the process with clear benefits for multinational companies.

From a simplified green card transition through the EB-1C category to the ability to bring your family along with you, the L1A visa offers flexibility and clear paths to long-term residency. It’s a perfect fit for organizations that need to move leadership talent while minimizing paperwork and bureaucracy.

If your business is ready to take the next step, the L1A visa could be just what you need to bring the right people to the U.S. to continue growing and succeeding. Be sure to review the requirements carefully and plan for the application process. With the right approach, this visa can open doors to new opportunities for both your business and your key personnel.

Need help with the L1A visa application? MotaWord can assist you with translating documents, ensuring compliance with USCIS guidelines, and offer you excellent professional and academic credential evaluation services to complement your application. Contact us today to get started on your L1A visa journey!