What is an L1 visa and how can you apply for it?

Jennifer Paulino, New York managing attorney | Marble Law

New York & immigration managing attorney at Marble Law

Published April 25, 2025 · 3 min read

Key Takeaways

The L1 visa lets multinational companies transfer executives, managers (L-1A), or specialized employees (L-1B) to U.S. offices.
You must have worked for the foreign company for at least 1 year in the past 3 years.
The U.S. and foreign companies must have a qualifying business relationship.
Standard processing takes 2–3 months, or 15 days with premium processing.

What is an L1 visa?

The L1 visa is a non-immigrant work visa for employees transferring within the same company to a U.S. office. It’s used by multinational businesses to move qualified staff from their international branches, subsidiaries, affiliates, or parent companies to a U.S. location.

There are two types:

L-1A for executives and managers
L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge

This visa helps companies grow their operations in the U.S. by allowing key team members to bring their expertise directly to the American branch.

How to apply for an L1 visa

Getting an L1 visa involves several steps. Here's what you and your employer need to do:

Submit labor certification application: Your employer prepares documents showing the need for your transfer and confirms you meet the visa qualifications.
Prepare employer transfer documentation: The company must prove there’s a qualifying relationship between the U.S. office and the foreign company—this can include organizational charts, ownership records, and financial documents.
File the complete visa petition: The employer submits Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with all supporting materials.
Schedule your visa interview: After USCIS approves the petition, you’ll make an appointment with the U.S. consulate in your country.
Attend your consulate interview: Show up with your passport, visa appointment letter, and original documents proving your employment, qualifications, and company ties.

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Requirements for obtaining an L1 visa

To get an L1 visa, you’ll need to meet a few important requirements:

Hold a qualifying position: You must work as a manager, executive (L-1A), or specialized knowledge employee (L-1B).
Prove the company relationship: The U.S. and foreign offices must be part of the same company—either as parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch.
Show relevant work experience: You must demonstrate your managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge experience through job descriptions, achievements, or certifications.
Meet the employment time rule: You must have worked for the foreign office for at least 1 continuous year within the past 3 years before applying.
Provide valid company documents: Both U.S. and foreign companies must be active, and you’ll need to show proof of operations, such as business licenses, contracts, or financial reports.

What is the L1 visa processing time?

The L1 visa process has two parts:

Petition processing (Form I-129)
Standard: Takes about 2–3 months
Premium: You can pay an extra fee for 15-day processing
Consular processing
Once your petition is approved, scheduling your visa interview and receiving the visa usually takes approximately an additional 2–4 weeks.

Delays can happen if USCIS requests more evidence or if the consulate has limited availability, so it’s best to apply early—especially if you have a planned work start date in the U.S.

Why you should consider a lawyer for your L1 visa application

Applying for an L1 visa can be complex, especially when it comes to proving the relationship between the U.S. and foreign offices, gathering detailed business documentation, and ensuring you meet all eligibility requirements. An immigration lawyer with Marble can guide you through the entire process—helping your company structure the petition properly, avoid delays, and respond to any requests for evidence from USCIS. With their help, you can reduce errors, stay compliant, and improve your chances of approval, whether you're applying under L-1A or L-1B.