L-1A/L-1B Immigration Attorney

L-1 (Intra-Company Transferee) Visa 

The L-1 visa allows a foreign company to transfer a manager, executive, or an employee with specialized knowledge to its U.S. parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary. 

L-1A (Managers and Executives) 

The L-1A visa is for executives or managers being transferred to a U.S. office. It is often a key step toward obtaining a green card. 

Requirements: 

• The employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the three years preceding their transfer in a managerial or executive capacity. 
• The U.S. position must be managerial or executive. 

Suggested Documents 

• Organizational Charts 
  
• Resumes/CVs of your direct reports 
  
• Proof of supervisory authority – documents showing the ability to hire, fire, promote, or approve employee leave. 
  
• Evidence of executive or managerial duties – emails, reports, or other records demonstrating involvement in strategic planning, setting company goals, or making key business decisions.
  
• Proof of at least 1 year of employment with foreign entity within the last 3 years in a managerial or executive capacity. 
  
• Evidence of the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. companies (articles of incorporation, stock certificates, tax filings, financial reports). 

Contact our office to request an assessment and for a detailed list of documents required for an L-1A petition. 

 

L-1B (Specialized Knowledge) 

The L-1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, services, research, or procedures. Specialized knowledge refers to an advanced understanding of a company’s products, services, processes, or procedures that is not widely held by others in the same industry. It represents expertise that is distinct, uncommon, and beyond the general knowledge typically found among industry professionals. 

Requirements: 

• Proof of at least 1 year of employment with foreign entity within the last 3 years. 
• Evidence of the employee’s specialized knowledge capacity such as advanced knowledge of the company’s products, services, processes, or procedures. 
• Evidence that the U.S. position requires the employee's specialized knowledge. 

Suggested Documents:

• Organizational Charts 
• Employee’s Resume/CV, diplomas and transcripts, and certifications 
• Company letter with a description of the employee’s unique skills or proprietary knowledge. 
• Evidence that the specialized knowledge is uncommon in the industry such as authored materials, examples of proprietary processes developed, patents, technical certifications, and/or internal company documentation. 
• Letters of reference or statements from industry experts highlighting the employee’s specialized knowledge and/or expertise. 
• Employment verification letter and/or paystubs for at least 12 consecutive months within the last 3 years. 
• Evidence of the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. companies (articles of incorporation, stock certificates, tax filings, financial reports). 

Contact our office to request an assessment and for a detailed list of documents required for an L-1B petition.