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EB-1C: Multinational Executive or Manager
The EB-1C immigrant category is the most direct Green Card option for L-1A visa holders.
L-1A Visa
Leadership Transfer to the U.S.
The L-1A visa allows multinational companies to transfer executives or managers from a foreign office to a related U.S. entity. It supports business expansion, leadership continuity, and management of new or existing U.S. operations without labor market testing or lottery requirements.
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What Is the L-1A Visa?
The L-1A visa is a United States non-immigrant work visa designed specifically for multinational companies that need to transfer senior leadership from a foreign office to a related office in the United States. It allows executives and managers to live and work in the U.S. temporarily while overseeing business operations, establishing new offices, or managing existing U.S. entities. Unlike many employment visas, the L-1A visa is based on an intra-company relationship, meaning the eligibility focuses on the connection between the foreign company and the U.S. company rather than labor market demand, job shortages, or lottery systems. The purpose of the L-1A category is to support international business growth by allowing companies to maintain continuity in leadership across borders.
The visa is commonly used by global businesses expanding into the U.S. market, companies restructuring leadership across regions, and organizations that require experienced decision-makers to guide U.S. operations.
Our Overview
L-1A Visa Overview
The L-1A visa permits a qualifying U.S. company to employ an executive or manager who has previously worked for a related foreign company. To qualify, the employee must have been employed abroad for at least one continuous year within the previous three years before entering the United States.
The U.S. and foreign companies must share a qualifying corporate relationship, such as:
Parent and subsidiary
Branch office
Affiliate under common ownership or control
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Key Emphasis of L-1A Visa
The L-1A visa emphasizes:
Executive or managerial authority
Strategic oversight rather than hands-on work
Control over personnel, departments, or essential business functions
Alignment between foreign and U.S. leadership roles
Because of this focus, USCIS evaluates the actual duties performed, organizational structure, and business operations rather than job titles alone.
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Purpose and Use of the L-1A Visa
It is frequently used by companies seeking a structured and compliant way to enter the U.S. market while retaining experienced leadership familiar with the company’s products, services, culture, and operational framework.Unlike some work visas, the L-1A does not require labor certification, prevailing wage determination, or recruitment testing. The focus remains on business legitimacy, leadership role, and operational viability.
The L-1A visa serves several business objectives, including:
Establishing a new U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate
Managing and expanding existing U.S. operations
Maintaining leadership continuity between global offices
Supporting long-term international business strategies
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Who Is the L-1A Visa Meant For?
The L-1A visa is intended for individuals who perform senior-level leadership functions within a multinational organization. It is not designed for entry-level employees, technical staff, or individuals performing routine operational tasks.
Typical L-1A candidates include:
Executives
Executives are individuals who:
- Direct the management of the organization or a major component
- Establish goals, policies, and strategic direction
- Exercise broad decision-making authority
- Operate with minimal supervision
Managers
Managers are individuals who:
- Supervise and control the work of professional employees
- Manage an essential function within the organization
- Have authority over hiring, firing, or strategic decisions
- Exercise discretion over daily operations at a senior level
Business Owners and Founders
The L-1A visa is also commonly used by:
- Business owners expanding an overseas company into the U.S.
- Founders establishing a first U.S. office
- Directors managing multinational corporate structures
Company ownership alone does not guarantee eligibility. The individual must still demonstrate qualifying executive or managerial duties and a functioning organizational structure that supports a leadership role rather than self-employment or operational work.
Role of Company Size and Revenue
Company size, revenue, or number of employees does not automatically determine L-1A eligibility. Small and mid-sized companies may qualify if they demonstrate:
- A legitimate business model
- Clear executive or managerial roles
- Real operational activity
- Capacity to support leadership functions
USCIS places greater importance on business structure, role clarity, and operational planning than on company scale alone.
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Step-by-Step Process for Obtaining the L-1A Visa
The L-1A process generally follows a structured sequence. Actual timelines and requirements may vary depending on case type and government review.
U.S. Company Formation and Physical Office Setup
Establishing a U.S. business entity is a foundational requirement for many L-1A cases, particularly for new office petitions. USCIS requires evidence of a genuine, physical office location in the United States.
Common components at this stage include:
- State and local business registration
- Issuance of Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Corporate governance documents such as stock certificates and company records
- Appointment of a registered agent
- Initial tax registration and compliance filings
- Documentation demonstrating the qualifying relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. entity
- Securing a physical office lease for a minimum required duration
Office leases are entered into directly with property owners, and rental costs vary by location and office type.
Business Plan Development
A detailed business plan is commonly required for L-1A adjudication, especially for new office cases. The plan is used to demonstrate the viability of U.S. operations and the executive or managerial nature of the role.
Typical elements include:
- Description of products or services
- Market analysis
- Organizational structure
- Staffing projections
- One-year and three-year growth plans
- Financial forecasts and operating budgets
Business plans are reviewed as part of the overall petition to assess operational readiness and leadership requirements.
L-1A Petition Filing
The L-1A petition is submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review.
This stage generally includes:
- Compilation of company documentation from both foreign and U.S. entities
- Preparation of Form I-129 and L classification supplements
- Submission of supporting evidence related to role duties, company structure, and operations
- Response to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs), if issued by USCIS
USCIS evaluates eligibility based on statutory requirements, documentation consistency, and operational credibility.
Consular Processing (If Applicable)
If the applicant is outside the United States, consular processing may be required after petition approval.
This typically involves:
- Completion of Form DS-160
- Scheduling a visa interview at a U.S. consulate
- Attending the interview and presenting required documentation
Visa issuance and entry into the United States, subject to inspection
Government Filing Fees (Subject to Change)
USCIS and Department of State fees are set by the U.S. government and may change.
Common fees include:
- Form I-129 filing fee
- Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee
- Asylum Program Fee
- Optional Premium Processing fee
- Consular visa application fee (if applying abroad)
Office rental costs are separate and paid directly to landlords.
Typical Processing Timelines
Timelines vary based on case type, workload, and documentation quality.
Estimated ranges:
- Company formation and office setup: several weeks
- Business plan preparation: often parallel to company setup
- Petition preparation: following receipt of required documents
- USCIS adjudication:
- Premium processing: decision within 15 calendar days
- Standard processing: several months
- Premium processing: decision within 15 calendar days
Additional Considerations
- Premium processing expedites adjudication but does not guarantee approval.
- Processing stages may overlap to reduce overall timelines.
- USCIS decisions are discretionary and based on evidence submitted.
- Immigration laws, policies, and interpretations may change.
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New Office vs Existing Office L-1A Visa
The L-1A visa category applies to multinational companies transferring executives or managers to the United States. The requirements and expectations differ depending on whether the U.S. company is newly established or already operating. Understanding this distinction is important because USCIS evaluates new office and existing office petitions under different operational standards.
What Is a New Office L-1A?
A New Office L-1A petition applies when a company is establishing its first physical presence in the United States or when the U.S. entity has been operating for less than one year.In these cases, USCIS focuses on whether the company has the ability to:
- Launch legitimate U.S. operations
- Support an executive or managerial role within a limited initial period
- Grow to a level that justifies ongoing leadership presence
Key Characteristics of New Office L-1A
Staffing and growth projections are closely reviewed
A physical office location in the U.S. is required
A detailed business plan is typically required
U.S. entity is newly formed or under one year old
Initial approval is usually limited to one year
Because the business is new, USCIS places greater emphasis on future plans, organizational structure, and financial capacity rather than historical performance.
What Is an Existing Office L-1A?
An Existing Office L-1A petition applies when the U.S. company has been actively operating for at least one year before filing the petition.
USCIS evaluates these cases based on:
- Current business activity
- Existing staff and organizational hierarchy
- Revenue, contracts, or operational output
- The ongoing need for an executive or managerial role
Key Characteristics of Existing Office L-1A
Extensions are generally evaluated based on past performance
U.S. entity has operated for 12 months or more
Less reliance on projections and future plans
Initial approval can be granted for up to three years
Established business operations and staff
Existing office cases rely more heavily on documented business activity than on proposed growth.
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Executive and Managerial Role Expectations
For both new and existing office cases, USCIS evaluates whether the beneficiary will perform primarily executive or managerial duties.
New office cases must show how the role will evolve as staff are hired
Existing office cases must show that operational tasks are already delegated
Extensions and Long-Term Planning
New office L-1A approvals require careful monitoring of:
Staffing growth
Revenue development
Role progression of the executive or manager
Existing office cases typically focus on:
Continued executive or managerial oversight
Stable business operations
Maintenance of qualifying corporate relationships
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L-1 Visa to Green Card Pathway
The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant classification, but it allows foreign nationals to pursue permanent residence in the United States without violating their visa status. This makes the L-1 category unique among work visas, as it supports long-term immigration planning while maintaining lawful temporary status.
Many L-1 visa holders, particularly those in executive or managerial roles, use this status as a structured pathway toward a U.S. Green Card.
Timing Considerations
There is no fixed waiting period to apply for a Green Card while on L-1 status. However:
New office L-1A holders typically wait until the U.S. business is well-established
Existing office L-1A holders may qualify sooner
Maintaining valid L-1 status during the Green Card process is important
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EB-1C: Multinational Executive or Manager
Some L-1 holders may also qualify under alternative categories depending on background and credentials:
EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)
For individuals with sustained national or international recognition in their field.
EB-2 or EB-2 NIW
For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, particularly where work benefits the United States.
EB-3
For skilled professionals or workers, typically involving labor certification. Each category has distinct eligibility standards and timelines.
Family Members and Permanent Residence
Dependents of L-1 visa holders (spouse and unmarried children under 21) may be included in the Green Card process as derivative beneficiaries. Once permanent residence is approved, family members receive Green Cards along with the principal applicant.
Key Benefits of the L-1 to Green Card Path
No requirement to prove U.S. labor market unavailability (for EB-1C)
No lottery system
Supports business ownership and leadership roles
Allows long-term planning while maintaining lawful status