L-1 Intracompany Transfer Lawyer — Moving Managers and Specialists to the U.S.

Expanding into the United States often means moving your best people. An L-1 intracompany transfer lawyer helps multinational companies bring managers, executives and specialists to a U.S. office.

The L-1 has no annual lottery, which makes it attractive. However, it requires a qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. companies, and a year of prior employment abroad. Therefore, corporate structure and employment history must both be documented.

This guide explains L-1A and L-1B visas, new office petitions and the path to a green card.

L-1A and L-1B explained

There are two types. First, L-1A is for managers and executives. Second, L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, processes or procedures.

L-1A status can last up to seven years in total. By contrast, L-1B can last up to five years. Moreover, spouses of L-1 workers can generally work in the United States.

The one-year requirement

The employee must have worked for the qualifying organization abroad for at least one continuous year within the three years before the petition. Consequently, recent hires abroad may not qualify yet.

Qualifying corporate relationships

The U.S. and foreign companies must be related as parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate. In addition, ownership and control must be shown with corporate documents. Furthermore, both companies must be doing business.

So if you need a U.S. entity, form it first. Our business formation consultation helps choose the structure. If the company will operate in several states, foreign qualification filings register it where needed.

New office L-1 petitions

Companies opening a U.S. office for the first time can file a new office L-1. However, the initial approval is usually limited to one year. The company must show secured premises and a realistic plan to support a managerial or executive role within that year.

Then, at extension, USCIS checks whether the office has grown as planned. Consequently, keep payroll records, contracts and organizational charts current. Our L-1 transfer packet is a fixed $2,000 and includes the corporate evidence index and support letter.

RFEs and the green card path

L-1B petitions in particular often draw RFEs questioning specialized knowledge. Therefore, explain clearly what knowledge the employee has and why it is not widely held in the industry. Our RFE response service prepares targeted replies.

For L-1A managers and executives, the EB-1C green card category is often available without PERM labor certification. An EB-1 consultation reviews eligibility. For other routes, see our guide to PERM, EB-2 NIW and EB-3 green cards.

Our L-1 Visas services in the USA

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

L-1 Visas services near you — every state we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

L-1 Visas help in California

We prepare l-1 visas documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Los Angeles, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in San Diego, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in San Francisco. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in California.

L-1 Visas help in Texas

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Houston, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Dallas, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in San Antonio, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Austin. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Texas.

L-1 Visas help in Florida

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Miami, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Orlando, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Tampa. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Florida.

L-1 Visas help in New York

We prepare l-1 visas documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in New York City, L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Brooklyn. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in New York.

L-1 Visas help in Illinois

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Chicago. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Illinois.

L-1 Visas help in Georgia

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Atlanta. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Georgia.

L-1 Visas help in Arizona

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Phoenix. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Arizona.

L-1 Visas help in Pennsylvania

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Philadelphia. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Pennsylvania.

L-1 Visas help in Washington

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Seattle. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Washington.

L-1 Visas help in Colorado

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Denver. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Colorado.

L-1 Visas help in Massachusetts

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Boston. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Massachusetts.

L-1 Visas help in Nevada

We prepare l-1 visas documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Las Vegas. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in Nevada.

L-1 Visas help in New Jersey

We prepare l-1 visas documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Newark. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in New Jersey.

L-1 Visas help in North Carolina

We prepare l-1 visas documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in Charlotte. Similarly, see L-1 consultation in North Carolina.

We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.

L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa Packet in every state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Frequently asked questions

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Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.