L-1A — Intracompany Transferee - Manager/Executive

United States•North America

Open

L-1A — Intracompany Transferee - Manager/Executive

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

3 weeks

Estimated Cost

USD $6,224–$10,179

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

3 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information Browse L-1 Jobs

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$52,000

Quality of Life

185/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Managers or executives transferring from a qualifying foreign office to a U.S. office. Requires 1+ year with the company abroad within the last 3 years.

The L-1A is a US nonimmigrant visa that allows multinational employers to transfer executives or managers from a qualifying foreign office to a US office. No annual cap applies. The applicant must have worked for the organization abroad for at least 1 of the 3 years immediately before the transfer.

Initial stay is up to 3 years (1 year for new offices), extendable in 2-year increments to a 7-year maximum. Dual intent is permitted, giving holders a direct path to an EB-1C green card. Spouses receive L-2 status with full work authorization.

This visa is ideal for senior managers and executives already employed by a multinational company who need to relocate to a US office without giving up a path to permanent residence.

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Cost Breakdown

I-129 base filing fee (Standard)USD $1,385

I-129 base filing fee (Small Employer/Nonprofit)USD $695

Fraud prevention and detection feeUSD $500

Asylum Program Fee (Standard)USD $600

Asylum Program Fee (Small)USD $300

DS-160 MRV (Visa Application) FeeUSD $205

I-94 Arrival/Departure FeeUSD $24

Premium processing (Form I-907)USD $2,965

optional

Public Law 114-113 FeeUSD $4,500

TotalUSD $6,224–$10,179

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker

United States

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1–3 years

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must work for a qualifying organization (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of U.S. employer)

Must have been employed abroad by the foreign affiliate for at least 1 of the last 3 years

Must be coming to the U.S. in a managerial or executive capacity

Employer must be doing business in the U.S. and at least one other country

KEY CRITERIA

Experience

1+ years

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker)

Evidence of qualifying relationship between U.S. and foreign employer

Evidence of managerial or executive role abroad and intended role in the U.S.

Proof of continuous employment abroad for at least 1 of the last 3 years

Organizational charts for both foreign and U.S. companies

Business registration documents for both entities

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No annual cap or lottery — available year-round
Strong pathway to EB-1C green card without labor certification (PERM)
Dual intent permitted — can pursue permanent residence while on L-1A
Longer maximum stay (7 years) compared to L-1B (5 years)
Spouse and children may accompany on L-2 status; spouse qualifying for work authorization
Can be used to establish a new U.S. office

Worth Knowing

Role must qualify as managerial or executive — USCIS scrutinizes first-line supervisors closely
New office petitions limited to 1-year initial stay with stricter renewal requirements
No portability to other employers (unlike H-1B)
Blanket L petition available for large multinational companies
Petition filed by employer, not employee
J-1 two-year rule if applicable