L-1 Visa Process 2026 – Detailed guide

The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa category for intracompany transferees. It allows multinational companies to temporarily transfer eligible employees from their foreign offices to work in the United States. This visa is ideal for executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge.

Types of L-1 Visa:

Visa Type	Eligible Employees	Initial Duration	Extension Allowed
L-1A	Managers and Executives	Up to 3 years	Total up to 7 years
L-1B	Employees with Specialized Knowledge	Up to 3 years	Total up to 5 years

• L-1A is for those in managerial or executive roles transferring to a related U.S. office.
• L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s products, processes, or services.

Check Also: H-1B Work Visa – Guide for Employers and Foreign Workers

Eligibility Requirements:

For the Employee (Visa Applicant):

• Must have worked for the multinational company continuously for at least one year within the last three years outside the U.S.
• Must be transferring to the U.S. office in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.
• Must possess the required expertise related to the company’s operations.

For the Employer (Sponsor):

• Must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company: parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch.
• Must be actively doing business in the U.S. and have a physical office or facility.
• Must provide a valid employment offer and file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

L-1 Visa Fees:

Fee Type	Amount	Who Pays	Notes
USCIS Form I-129 Filing Fee	$1,385 (or $695 for smaller/nonprofits)	Employer	Required to file the visa petition
Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee	$500	Employer	Applies in most cases
Visa Application Fee	Varies by consulate	Applicant	Paid when applying for visa at U.S. consulate
Visa Integrity Fee	$250	Applicant	New fee charged at visa issuance; cannot be waived
Premium Processing (Optional)	$2,805	Employer or Applicant	Expedites USCIS processing to 15 calendar days

Note: Fees may change. Always check official USCIS and Department of State websites.

L-1 Visa Processing Timeline:

• Regular USCIS processing times vary but typically range from 1 to 4 months depending on the service center.
• Premium Processing speeds up petition adjudication to 15 calendar days.
• After petition approval, visa applicants schedule interviews at a U.S. consulate in their home country, where processing times vary by location.

How to Apply for L-1 Visa Process 2026?

Step 1: Employer Files Petition

• The U.S. employer submits Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, to USCIS with supporting documents.
• Pay USCIS filing and anti-fraud fees.
• Await USCIS approval (Form I-797 Notice of Action).

Step 2: Visa Applicant Applies for Visa

• Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
• Pay the visa application fee and the new $250 visa integrity fee.
• Schedule and attend a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
• Bring required documents such as passport, petition approval notice, employment letter, and proof of eligibility.

Step 3: Enter the U.S.

• Once approved, the visa holder can travel to the U.S. to begin employment with the sponsoring company.

Important Information:

• Family Members: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may apply for L-2 visas and may be eligible to work in the U.S. (spouses can apply for work authorization).
• Duration Limits: Extensions can be granted, but maximum stay depends on visa type (7 years for L-1A, 5 years for L-1B).
• Changing Employers: L-1 visa holders can only work for the sponsoring employer.
• Green Card Path: L-1A visa holders often have a smoother path to permanent residency under employment-based categories.

L-1 vs. H-1B Visa:

Feature	L-1 Visa	H-1B Visa
Purpose	Intracompany transfers	Specialty occupation workers
Employer Requirement	Must have qualifying foreign relationship	No foreign affiliation required
Employee Eligibility	Executives, managers, specialized knowledge	Bachelor’s degree or higher required
Duration	3 years initial; extensions available	3 years initial; max 6 years total
Work for Employer	Only sponsoring employer	Can change employers
Family Work Authorization	Spouses eligible for work authorization (L-2)	Spouses generally not eligible (H-4)

Frequently Asked Questions: