Intracompany Transferees (L-1)

If you are already working for a foreign affiliate, subsidiary, parent or branch of a U.S. company, you may be eligible for the L-1 visa. L-1 visas are for “intracompany transferees” who have been continuously employed outside the U.S. for at least one year (within the last 3 years) by an affiliate, subsidiary, parent or branch of the U.S. company in a managerial, executive or specialized knowledge position. 

There are two subcategories of the L-1 visa: L-1A (intracompany executives and managers): and L-1B (intracompany specialized knowledge professional).

A huge benefit of the L-1 visa is that their spouses may work in the U.S. on an L-2 visa.  L-1 status is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended for a maximum of seven years for an L-1A or five years for an L-1B.