FAQs about the L-1 Petition

An L-1 petition is valid for the period of validity requested by the U.S. employer. If the U.S. employer is a new office then the period of validity will initially be 1 year and thereafter for 2 year increments. There is a 7 year maximum for managers and executives and 5 years for ‘specialized knowledge’… Read More

After the L-1 petition is filed, the USCIS will issue a receipt notice. After reviewing the L-1 petition, if all the conditions and specifications are met, the USCIS will issue an approval notice. Currently, the approval process for an L-1 petition is 3-6 months from filing. The L-1 petition may be filed along with a… Read More

At present, the filing fee is $325. In addition, the USCIS collects a Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee of $500. We have provided a complete list of fees applicable to the L-1 process on our L-1 visa fees page.

The L-1 petition is filed along with the L Classification Supplement to Form I-129.

An employer/employee relationship is required. As such, the USCIS has taken the position that an owner of a company can file a petition on his or her behalf in very limited circumstances. If an employer/employee relationship can be demonstrated then the L-1 petition can be approved.

No. The petitioner must be a U.S. employer.

Yes. However, the individual must possess a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).

There must be a qualifying relationship between the U.S. employer and foreign parent, branch, affiliate or subsidiary. The foreign worker must have been continuously employed abroad for at least 1 year within the past three 3 years preceding the fishing of the L-1 petition The foreign worker must have been employed as a manager or… Read More

An L-1 petition is filed by a U.S. employer to transfer to the United States a manager or executive or ‘specialized knowledge’ worker that is currently working abroad for a parent, branch, affiliate or subsidiary.