L-1A or L-1B Visa Lawyer: Intra-Company Transfer Services
The L visa category allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates to their U.S.-based offices. This visa is available under two classifications:
L-1A Visa: For executives or managers being transferred to the U.S.
L-1B Visa: For employees with specialized knowledge.
Both visa classifications have distinct eligibility criteria and durations of stay, and they serve to strengthen the operations of multinational businesses within the U.S. and abroad.
The L-1 visa classification also benefits foreign companies looking to expand their operations into the U.S. by establishing a new office. The L-1A visa can be used to bring in senior-level executives to oversee the establishment of the new business entity.
Eligibility Criteria for L-1 Visa
To qualify for an L-1 visa, both the employer and the employee must meet specific requirements:
For the Employee (Beneficiary):
Must have worked for the foreign branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or parent company for at least one year within the last three years prior to the application.
For L-1A Visa: Must be employed in a managerial or executive capacity, overseeing a significant portion of the business’s functions or managing other employees.
For L-1B Visa: Must possess specialized knowledge, which means understanding specific aspects of the company’s products, services, research, equipment, techniques, or management that are essential to the business.
For the Employer:
The U.S. entity and the foreign entity must have a qualifying relationship (branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate).
Both the U.S. and foreign entities must be financially viable and engaged in active business.
The U.S. office must have the capacity to support the role of the employee, particularly in the case of new offices.
L-1 Visa Duration
L-1A Visa: Initially granted for up to three years, with extensions available for up to a total of seven years.
L-1B Visa: Initially granted for up to three years, with extensions available for up to a total of five years.
For employees establishing a new U.S. office, the initial L-1 visa is granted for one year, with extensions available as the business grows.
Blanket L Petition
A Blanket L petition allows multinational companies to establish the qualifying relationship between their foreign and U.S. entities in advance. This streamlines the process of transferring eligible employees by allowing them to apply directly for an L visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy without the need to file individual L petitions with USCIS.
Companies with blanket approval can transfer qualifying employees to the U.S. on short notice, making the process more efficient and flexible for large corporations with frequent transfers.
Strategic Use of the L-1 Visa for New York-Based Business Growth
For multinational companies expanding into the U.S., the L-1A and L-1B visas are more than just transfer tools—they’re foundational components of growth strategy. At Sharma Law Associates, LLC, our New York L-1A visa lawyers and L-1B visa attorneys advise on how to align business development goals with visa eligibility and long-term compliance.
Establishing a New U.S. Office With L-1A and L-1B Support
When a foreign company seeks to establish a new U.S. presence, selecting the right employees to lay the groundwork is crucial. The L-1A visa allows executives and managers to oversee business operations from the outset. Meanwhile, L-1B employees with specialized technical or product knowledge help ensure that the new entity mirrors the operational standards of its global parent.
Our New York L-1A visa lawyers help:
Identify suitable executive candidates for new office roles.
Develop business plans and organizational charts to support L-1 petitions.
Address the additional documentation USCIS requires for new office filings.
Supporting Organizational Infrastructure With L-1B Employees
Specialized or Advanced knowledge professionals are often critical to training new hires, replicating systems, and transferring proprietary processes. L-1B visa holders help maintain institutional continuity between overseas and U.S. offices, especially in industries such as technology, biotechnology, and manufacturing.
Our New York L-1B Visa Attorneys assist companies with:
Demonstrating how the employee's knowledge is proprietary and essential.
Preparing robust support letters outlining the scope and depth of specialized or Advanced knowledge.
Ensuring that business plans justify the need for specialized personnel.
Compliance Obligations for L-1 Employers in New York
After a visa is approved, maintaining compliance is not optional. USCIS may conduct random site visits, particularly for newer companies or those that have filed multiple L-1 applications. New York companies must demonstrate that the employee is performing the duties outlined in the petition and that the business is viable.
Our L-1A and L-1B Visa Lawyers in New York:
Perform compliance audits to identify and address gaps.
Assist in maintaining public access files and petition documentation.
Guide employers through USCIS visits and re-verification.
Transitioning From L-1 to Permanent Residency
L-1A visa holders have a direct path to permanent residency through the EB-1C immigrant visa, which eliminates the need for labor certification. L-1B visa holders typically transition through PERM-based processes; in both cases, timing, planning, and strategy matter.
At Sharma Law Associates, LLC, our New York L-1A visa attorneys and L-1B visa lawyers:
Advise on when and how to initiate the green card process.
Coordinate with employers to ensure job descriptions and roles remain consistent and accurate.
Support adjustment of status or consular processing as needed.
Supporting Complex Corporate Structures
Many multinational organizations have layered or non-traditional structures that can make it harder to prove qualifying relationships. We collaborate with corporate counsel, HR teams, and global mobility specialists to ensure that petitions clearly define the relationships and financial connections between entities.
Our services include:
Drafting entity charts and ownership documentation.
Detailing financial interdependence or control between the U.S. and foreign companies.
Responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) challenging corporate structure or control.
Industries That Frequently Use L-1 Visas in New York
The L-1 visa category is widely used across New York industries, including:
Financial services and fintech.
Technology Product and Service.
Advertising and media.
Pharmaceuticals and biotech.
Software and cloud technology.
Higher education and research institutions.
Our New York L-1B Visa Lawyers understand the nuances of these industries and the types of roles that USCIS views favorably under L-1 eligibility standards.
Managing Multiple L-1 Filings and High-Volume Transfers
Larger companies often seek to transfer multiple employees under L-1A or L-1B categories. This requires a robust internal system for documentation, timing, and coordination, particularly when handling blanket petitions or consular applications.
We support employers by:
Creating standardized documentation processes.
Ensuring consistency across filings.
Liaising with overseas counsel and consulates to streamline scheduling.
Why Timing and Strategy Are Essential for L-1 Success
Each L-1 petition is both a legal and operational statement. Timing matters—whether it’s for a product launch, client contract, or new market entry. Our New York L-1A and L-1B Visa Attorneys ensure that visa planning aligns with key business initiatives.
Our strategic services include:
Mapping visa timelines against corporate goals.
Flagging potential filing delays due to cap limits, site visits, or consular backlogs.
Helping businesses assess alternatives when L-1 is not feasible.
We Also Serve Following Areas:
Why Choose Sharma Law Associates, LLC for L-1 Visa Services?
The L-1 visa process can be complex, requiring detailed documentation and establishing qualifying relationships between entities. At Sharma Law Associates, LLC, our team assists both employers and employees through each step of the L-1 process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. Our services include:
Comprehensive assessment of the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities.
Guidance on eligibility requirements for executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge.
Assistance with gathering and filing the necessary documentation for the L-1 visa petition.
Support for visa interviews at U.S. Consulates after visa approval.
We provide expert guidance to ensure that each petition has the best chance for approval, whether you are transferring employees to an existing office or establishing a new office in the U.S.
Connect With an L-1B or L-1A Visa Lawyer in New York Today
Whether you're transferring a single executive or coordinating global mobility for dozens of specialists, Sharma Law Associates, LLC can help. Our New York L-1A Visa Lawyers and L-1B Visa Attorneys bring a rare combination of business insight and immigration law knowledge to every case.
Call us today at 646-374-3480, online, or to schedule a personalized consultation on our calendar with a New York L-1 Visa Lawyer who understands the global challenges—and opportunities—your business faces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The L-1A visa is for executives or managers being transferred to the U.S., while the L-1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge about the company’s products, processes, or operations.
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Yes, L-1A visa holders (executives or managers) have a faster path to a Green Card through the EB-1C employment-based immigrant visa category. L-1B visa holders may also apply for a Green Card, but they typically need to go through the PERM labor certification process.
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A Blanket L Petition allows multinational companies to pre-establish the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities, enabling them to transfer employees more quickly without filing individual L petitions with USCIS.
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Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you to the U.S. on an L-2 visa. Spouses on an L-2 visa are eligible to apply for work authorization in the U.S.
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Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the case and USCIS workload. Premium processing is available, which expedites the processing time to 15 business days.
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Yes, the L-1A visa can be extended for up to a total of seven years, and the L-1B visa can be extended for up to a total of five years. However, for new offices, the visa is initially granted for one year, with the possibility of extensions.
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After reaching the maximum stay (seven years for L-1A or five years for L-1B), the visa holder must either leave the U.S. or transition to another visa category, such as a Green Card.
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The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer their employees across borders efficiently and offers dual intent, meaning L-1 visa holders can apply for permanent residency (Green Card) without affecting their L-1 status.