L-1 Visa Explained: Eligibility, Costs, and Process (2025 Guide)

Vikrant Gungash
5 days ago
4 min read

By Vikrant Singh, August 29, 2025

The L-1 visa is a U.S. non-immigrant work visa that allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from their foreign offices to their U.S. branches, subsidiaries, affiliates, or parent companies.

It’s one of the most popular options for businesses expanding into the United States because it enables them to bring in executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge. For employees, it’s a chance to live and work in the U.S. with a direct path to a green card.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Types of L-1 visas (L-1A vs. L-1B)
Eligibility requirements
Costs and timeline
Step-by-step process
FAQs

Types of L-1 Visas

There are two categories of the L-1 visa:

Visa Type	Who It’s For	Maximum Stay
L-1A Visa	Executives & Managers	Up to 7 years
L-1B Visa	Employees with Specialized Knowledge	Up to 5 years

Key Difference: L-1A is for leadership roles, while L-1B is for employees with unique, specialized skills.

L-1 Visa Eligibility

Both the employee (applicant) and the employer (sponsor) must meet eligibility criteria.

For Employees:

Must have worked at least 1 continuous year for the foreign company within the last 3 years.
Must be coming to the U.S. as a manager, executive (L-1A), or with specialized knowledge (L-1B).
Must be employed by a qualifying organization (branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate).

For Employers:

Must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company.
Must be actively doing business in the U.S. (with a physical office).
Must provide a valid employment offer and file a petition with USCIS.

L-1 Visa Costs

The cost depends on petition type and processing speed.

Fee Type	Amount (USD)
Form I-129 (standard filing fee)	$1,385 ($695 for small employers/nonprofits)
Anti-fraud fee (if applicable)	$500
Premium Processing (optional)	$2,805
DS-160 Visa Application Fee	$205

Many employers choose premium processing to speed up approvals.

L-1 Visa Timeline

Processing times vary depending on the case and USCIS service center.

Processing Option	Timeline
Standard Processing	3–6 months (average)
Premium Processing	15–45 days

Step-by-Step L-1 Visa Process

Employer’s Role:

File Form I-129 with USCIS.
Pay required government filing fees.
Provide documents proving qualifying relationship and employee eligibility.

Employee’s Role:

Complete DS-160 (Online Visa Application).
Pay the visa application fee.
Schedule and attend a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Provide supporting documents (passport, job offer, approval notice, etc.).

L-1 Visa FAQs

Is the L-1 visa lottery-based?

No. Unlike the H-1B visa, there is no lottery. If you meet eligibility requirements, you can apply directly.

How long can I stay on an L-1 visa?

L-1A (Managers/Executives): Up to 7 years.
L-1B (Specialized Knowledge): Up to 5 years.
Initial stay is 1–3 years, with renewals allowed.

Can my spouse work in the U.S. on an L-2 visa?

Yes. Since 2021, L-2 spouses automatically get work authorization upon entry.

Can I apply for a green card?

Yes. The L-1 is a dual intent visa, meaning you can apply for permanent residency while holding L-1 status.

How does L-1 compare with H-1B?

Feature	L-1 Visa	H-1B Visa
Employer relationship	Must be multinational (foreign & U.S. company link)	Any U.S. employer
Lottery system	No	Yes, annual lottery
Spouse work rights	Yes (L-2 spouse can work)	Limited (H-4 spouse work only in certain cases)
Max Stay	5–7 years	6 years
Green Card Pathway	Yes (direct)	Yes (but more competitive)

Benefits of the L-1 Visa

No annual cap or lottery system.
Fast processing (especially with premium option).
Spouses and children can accompany you.
Pathway to U.S. green card.
Great for companies expanding into the U.S.

Final Thoughts

The L-1 visa is one of the most powerful tools for multinational companies and professionals who want to work in the U.S. without the uncertainty of the H-1B lottery. It offers flexibility, career growth opportunities, and a clear path toward permanent residency.

If you’re a manager, executive, or specialized knowledge employee working for a multinational company, the L-1 visa may be your best option for working in the United States.

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