Why the L-1A Visa?
The L-1A visa enables multinational companies to transfer executives and managers from foreign offices to the United States. Whether you are expanding an existing US presence or establishing a new US office, the L-1A provides a streamlined path for senior leadership to relocate. The Jerz Group handles the entire petition process, documenting your qualifying relationship and executive or managerial capacity.
No annual cap: The L-1A has no quota or lottery. You can file any time your company needs to transfer qualifying personnel.
Establish a new US office: Unlike many visas, the L-1A allows foreign companies without US operations to send an executive or manager to establish one.
Extended stay: Initial approval is up to 3 years (1 year for new office petitions), with extensions available up to a maximum of 7 years total.
Spouse can work: Your spouse receives L-2S status with automatic work authorization. No separate work permit application required.
Direct path to green card: L-1A executives and managers often qualify for the EB-1C green card category, which does not require labor certification and has faster processing than most employment-based categories.
Blanket petition option: Large multinational companies may qualify for blanket L-1 certification, enabling faster transfers of multiple employees without individual petitions.
Who This Is For
Executives of multinational companies who make high-level decisions with wide latitude and minimal oversight.
Senior managers who supervise professional staff or manage an essential function of the organization.
Foreign company owners who want to establish and direct US operations for their existing business.
Companies expanding to the US that need to send trusted leadership to open and manage a new American office.
Existing US subsidiaries that need to bring executives or managers from the parent company or affiliated foreign offices.
The Process
Our team prepares the complete L-1A petition, documenting the qualifying corporate relationship and your executive or managerial role. The employer files the petition; we handle the preparation.
Step 1: Qualifying Relationship Analysis
We verify the qualifying relationship between the US and foreign entities: parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate. We gather corporate documentation establishing the connection.
Step 2: Position Analysis
We document that your role qualifies as executive or managerial capacity. This includes organizational charts, job descriptions, and evidence of decision-making authority or supervisory responsibilities.
Step 3: Employment History Documentation
We compile evidence that you have worked for the qualifying foreign organization for at least one continuous year within the past three years in an executive or managerial capacity.
Step 4: US Operations Documentation
For existing US offices, we document ongoing business operations. For new office petitions, we gather evidence of secured premises and a business plan showing the office will support an executive or managerial position within one year.
Step 5: Petition Preparation
We prepare the complete Form I-129 petition with cover letter, corporate documentation, organizational evidence, and all supporting exhibits.
Step 6: Filing and Adjudication
We file with USCIS and monitor the case. If a Request for Evidence is issued, we prepare a comprehensive response.
Step 7: Consular Processing
Upon approval, we guide you through the visa interview at your US consulate and prepare you for the process.
Requirements
The L-1A has requirements for both the employer and the employee.
Employer Requirements
Qualifying relationship: The US and foreign entities must have a qualifying relationship as parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
Doing business: Both the US entity and the foreign entity must be doing business (or will be, for new offices). This means regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods or services, not merely maintaining an office or agent.
Employee Requirements
One year of employment: You must have worked for the qualifying foreign organization for one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding your US admission.
Executive or managerial capacity abroad: Your foreign employment must have been in an executive or managerial capacity.
Executive or managerial role in US: You must be coming to the US to work in an executive or managerial capacity.
Definitions
Executive capacity: Making decisions of wide latitude without much oversight. Directing the management of the organization or a major component.
Managerial capacity: Supervising and controlling professional employees, or managing an essential function at a high level. Managers of functions do not need direct reports but must manage at a senior level.
New Office Petitions
If establishing a new US office, you must also show: secured physical premises, one year of qualifying foreign employment, and that the US office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of approval.
What's Included
This is a full-service L-1A visa package. Here is exactly what The Jerz Group handles:
Corporate relationship analysis: We verify and document the qualifying relationship between US and foreign entities.
Position documentation: We build the case for executive or managerial capacity with organizational charts, job descriptions, and reporting structures.
Employment verification: We compile evidence of your qualifying one year of foreign employment.
Business operations evidence: Documentation of ongoing US operations or, for new offices, business plan and premises evidence.
Petition preparation: Complete Form I-129 with detailed cover letter and organized exhibits.
USCIS filing: Filing and case monitoring through approval.
RFE response: If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, we prepare a comprehensive response.
Consular preparation: Briefing for your visa interview at the US embassy or consulate.
The employer provides corporate documentation. We prepare the petition that gets approved.
Timeline
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Corporate documentation gathering | 2-3 weeks |
| Position and employment documentation | 2-3 weeks |
| Petition preparation | 2-3 weeks |
| USCIS processing (standard) | 1-4 months |
| USCIS processing (premium) | 15 business days |
| Consular interview | 2-8 weeks after approval |
Total timeline from engagement to visa approval is typically 3 to 6 months with standard processing, or 2 to 3 months with premium processing.
Important Notes
L-1A vs L-1B: L-1A is for executives and managers. L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge. Different criteria and maximum stay periods apply.
Maximum stay: L-1A status is limited to 7 years total. After reaching the maximum, you must remain outside the US for one year before being eligible for new L or H status.
New office limitation: New office petitions receive only 1 year initial approval. Extension requires showing the office now supports an executive or managerial position.
Premium processing: Available for an additional USCIS fee, guaranteeing a decision within 15 business days.
Path to green card: L-1A executives and managers may qualify for the EB-1C green card, which does not require labor certification and often has current priority dates.
Blanket L petitions: Large companies with multiple US and foreign offices may qualify for blanket certification, streamlining future transfers.
Other US Visa Options
Looking for a different path to the United States? We also handle:
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa: For entrepreneurs investing in a US business.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa: For individuals with exceptional achievements in their field.