L-1A Visa – Intracompany Transfer for Executives and Managers
The L-1A visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S.-based companies to transfer executives or managers from a foreign affiliate to a U.S. office. It also provides a pathway for foreign companies to send a qualified executive or manager to the United States to establish a new branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
To qualify, the U.S. employer must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign business—such as a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate—and must be actively doing business in both the United States and at least one other country. ""Doing business"" means consistent, ongoing delivery of goods or services and does not include a mere physical presence without actual operations.
The employee must have been employed by the foreign entity for at least one continuous year within the past three years before entering the U.S. and must be coming to the U.S. to perform duties in an executive or managerial capacity. Executive roles involve strategic decision-making with minimal oversight, while managerial roles include overseeing professional staff, managing departments, or directing essential organizational functions at a senior level.
For individuals establishing a new U.S. office, the initial L-1A visa is granted for up to one year. For transfers to established offices, the initial stay may be up to three years, with extensions possible in two-year increments—up to a total maximum of seven years.
Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may accompany the L-1A visa holder under L-2 dependent visas. L-2 spouses are eligible to apply for employment authorization, allowing them to work legally in the United States.
The L-1A visa is an ideal solution for multinational businesses seeking to bring top-level talent to their U.S. operations or expand their global footprint through trusted leadership.