Navigating Blanket L-1 Petitions for Fast-Growing Multinational Companies
At Sharma Law Associates, LLC, our New York immigration attorney regularly assists executives, HR leaders, and in-house counsel at multinational companies seeking efficient solutions to transfer key personnel to their U.S. operations. One of the most effective tools for fast-growing companies with a global footprint is the L-1 Blanket Petition. This program enables qualified organizations to streamline and accelerate the visa process for eligible employees.
If your company regularly transfers managers, executives, or specialized knowledge workers to U.S. branches, navigating the blanket L-1 process can save time, reduce redundancy, and improve consistency across employee petitions. Below, we explain how the program works, who qualifies, and how your company can leverage it to scale operations in the United States.
What Is a Blanket L-1 Petition and How Does It Work?
A Blanket L-1 petition is a pre-approved framework issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows eligible multinational companies to transfer certain employees to the U.S. without filing separate, individual L-1 petitions for each transferee through USCIS. Instead, once the blanket petition is approved, qualified employees may apply directly for an L-1 visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, often reducing processing times and minimizing paperwork.
Blanket L-1 approval does not grant immediate visas but authorizes the company to present a streamlined case for its L-1A and L-1B candidates. This benefits fast-growing organizations that need to transfer employees quickly and at scale, especially when managing global talent mobility across multiple regions.
Which Companies Qualify for a Blanket L-1 Petition?
To qualify for a Blanket L-1 petition, a company must meet specific USCIS criteria, demonstrating that it has the infrastructure and consistent need for regular intracompany transfers.
These requirements include:
· Having at least three domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates.
· Engaging in commercial trade or services.
· Having U.S. office operations in business for at least one year.
Meeting one of the following financial or volume thresholds:
· U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates with combined annual sales of at least $25 million,
· A U.S. workforce of at least 1,000 employees, or
· At least 10 L-1 approvals in the past 12 months.
If your organization qualifies, an approved Blanket L-1 petition remains valid for three years and can be renewed. This allows your company to onboard foreign employees faster while complying with U.S. immigration requirements.
Benefits of Blanket L-1 Petitions for High-Growth Companies
For companies experiencing rapid expansion or frequent internal transfers, the blanket L-1 program offers several advantages.
They include:
· Faster processing: Employees apply directly at a U.S. consulate, bypassing USCIS adjudication.
· Predictability: Consistent petition structure helps minimize denials.
· Efficiency: HR and legal teams spend less time preparing duplicative filings.
· Scalability: Ideal for companies transferring large teams or expanding U.S. operations.
At Sharma Law Associates, LLC, we work closely with growing businesses to prepare, file, and maintain compliant blanket L-1 approvals—and to support individual visa applications under the approved framework.
Speak With a New York L-1 Immigration Attorney Today
If your multinational company is ready to streamline global mobility through a blanket L-1 petition, Sharma Law Associates, LLC is here to guide you. We offer experienced legal counsel to help your organization meet compliance standards, reduce processing delays, and confidently scale.
Call us at 646-760-6339, contact us online, or schedule a consultation to explore how the blanket L-1 program can support your U.S. growth strategy.