L-1A / L-1B Intracompany Transferee Visa

The L-1 visa is the primary pathway for multinational companies to transfer key employees to the United States. L-1A applies to managers and executives — and provides a direct path to the EB-1C green card. L-1B applies to employees with specialized knowledge. We prepare L-1 petitions that clearly establish the qualifying relationship, the managerial or specialized capacity, and the one-year abroad employment requirement.

Overview

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees who have worked abroad for at least one year in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity. L-1A managers and executives are eligible for a streamlined path to the EB-1C green card, making L-1A one of the most strategically important nonimmigrant visas for senior professionals. L-1B specialized knowledge employees can remain in L-1 status for up to five years. Silmi Law assists companies and individuals with new office L-1 petitions, established company L-1 filings, and extensions.

New York, NY
New Jersey
San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
Miami, FL
Employer

Sponsor Required

No Cap

Annual Visa Limit

7 Yrs

Max L-1A Duration

EB-1C

Direct Green Card Path (L-1A)

Who Qualifies for an L-1 Visa

  • Managers or executives transferring from a foreign affiliate, parent, subsidiary, or branch
  • Employees with specialized knowledge of company products, services, procedures, or techniques
  • Individuals with at least one continuous year of employment abroad in the past three years
  • Companies opening new U.S. offices (new office L-1 petitions)
  • Multinational corporations with established U.S. operations seeking to transfer key personnel
  • L-1A managers or executives on a path to EB-1C permanent residence
  • Startup founders establishing a U.S. entity from a qualifying foreign company
  • Technology, finance, manufacturing, and professional services companies with international operations
Qualifying Relationship Analysis

We assess the corporate structure between the foreign and U.S. entities to confirm the qualifying relationship required for L-1 eligibility.

Managerial / Specialized Knowledge Strategy

We build a precise evidentiary record establishing that the employee’s role abroad and in the U.S. meets USCIS’s managerial or specialized knowledge definitions.

Managerial / Specialized Knowledge Strategy

We build a precise evidentiary record establishing that the employee’s role abroad and in the U.S. meets USCIS’s managerial or specialized knowledge definitions.

EB-1C Green Card Planning

For L-1A holders, we build toward the EB-1C green card from the outset — ensuring the petition record supports the eventual immigrant visa filing.

Why Silmi Law

Strategy over templates. Every time.

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Multinational Structure Expertise

We understand complex corporate structures and qualify intercompany relationships across parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and new office situations.

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L-1A to EB-1C Strategy

We build L-1A petitions with the EB-1C green card in mind — framing managerial capacity in a way that directly supports the immigrant petition.

Direct Attorney Oversight

Sharif Silmi personally oversees every L-1 petition and extension.

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New Office Petitions

We guide companies through the new office L-1 process — including business plan requirements, lease documentation, and the first-year extension.

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RFE Defense

We have extensive experience responding to USCIS RFEs challenging managerial capacity and specialized knowledge classifications.

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Nationwide Representation

We serve L-1 petitioners and companies throughout New York, New Jersey, California, and nationwide.

START YOUR IMMIGRATION PROCESS

Book a strategy session with Sharif Silmi to assess your credentials and map the strongest path forward.

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