The L-1 visa lets multinational companies transfer employees from their foreign offices to U.S. locations, or send managers and executives to establish a new U.S. branch. If you’ve worked for your current employer abroad for at least one continuous year within the past three years and you’re moving to the United States in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge role, you may qualify for this visa category.
Two versions exist: the L-1A for executives and managers, and the L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge. The L-1A classification is particularly valuable because it enables foreign companies without an existing U.S. presence to send a leader stateside specifically to build that operation from the ground up.
Your employer takes the lead in this process. They must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, on your behalf with U.S…
