L-1A Intracompany Transferee
L-1A Intracompany Transferee
Strategic global mobility counsel for multinational corporations, international founders, and key executives expanding operations to the United States.
Strategic global mobility counsel for multinational corporations, international founders, and key executives expanding operations to the United States.
Why we need L-1A Visa
Why we need L-1A Visa
Path to Green Card
Path to Green Card
As a dual intent visa, it provides a path to EB-1C permanent residency (Green Card) without the long labor certification process.
As a dual intent visa, it provides a path to EB-1C permanent residency (Green Card) without the long labor certification process.
No Annual Caps or Lotteries
No Annual Caps or Lotteries
Unlike the H-1B visa, the L-1A has no annual quotas and no random lotteries. If your company and executive meet the legal criteria, the visa can be secured year-round.
Unlike the H-1B visa, the L-1A has no annual quotas and no random lotteries. If your company and executive meet the legal criteria, the visa can be secured year-round.
Family Integration
Family Integration
Spouses (L-2S status) automatically receive unrestricted U.S. work authorization to build their own careers, and children under 21 may attend U.S. schools.
Spouses (L-2S status) automatically receive unrestricted U.S. work authorization to build their own careers, and children under 21 may attend U.S. schools.
Key Requirements
Key Requirements
Qualifying Corporate Link
Qualifying Corporate Link
The U.S. entity and the foreign company must share common ownership and control, functioning as a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.
The U.S. entity and the foreign company must share common ownership and control, functioning as a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.
The U.S. entity and the foreign company must share common ownership and control, functioning as a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate.
Active Global Operations
Active Global Operations
Both the U.S. entity and the foreign company must be actively and continuously engaged in the commercial provision of goods or services for the entire duration of your visa.
Both the U.S. entity and the foreign company must be actively and continuously engaged in the commercial provision of goods or services for the entire duration of your visa.
Both the U.S. entity and the foreign company must be actively and continuously engaged in the commercial provision of goods or services for the entire duration of your visa.
Executive or Managerial Capacity
Executive or Managerial Capacity
The transferee must direct the management of the organization, a major department, or a critical function, rather than performing front-line operational tasks.
The transferee must direct the management of the organization, a major department, or a critical function, rather than performing front-line operational tasks.
The transferee must direct the management of the organization, a major department, or a critical function, rather than performing front-line operational tasks.
Foreign Employment
Foreign Employment
The executive must have been employed directly by the foreign entity for at least one continuous, uninterrupted year within the three years immediately preceding the petition.
The executive must have been employed directly by the foreign entity for at least one continuous, uninterrupted year within the three years immediately preceding the petition.
Establishing a New U.S. Office vs. Expanding Existing Operations
Establishing a New U.S. Office vs. Expanding Existing Operations
The requirements change based on your U.S. company's maturity.
The requirements change based on your U.S. company's maturity.
New Office
Established Office
For:
U.S. entities that have been active for less than one year.
Goal:
Secure physical premises, hire initial staff, and commence commercial operations.
Visa Validity:
1 Year initially (requires a robust extension filing at the end of year one).
What You Need:
Signed commercial office lease (co-working spaces and home offices are highly scrutinized).
Comprehensive 5-year business plan with aggressive hiring and revenue projections.
Proof of capitalization (funds transferred to the U.S. corporate account).
New Office
Established Office
For:
U.S. entities that have been active for less than one year.
Goal:
Secure physical premises, hire initial staff, and commence commercial operations.
Visa Validity:
1 Year initially (requires a robust extension filing at the end of year one).
What You Need:
Signed commercial office lease (co-working spaces and home offices are highly scrutinized).
Comprehensive 5-year business plan with aggressive hiring and revenue projections.
Proof of capitalization (funds transferred to the U.S. corporate account).
Our process
Our process
1
Corporate Structuring
Corporate Structuring
We don’t just fill out forms. We audit your global entity structure to ensure the exact ownership and control metrics legally satisfy the "Qualifying Relationship" standard.
We don’t just fill out forms. We audit your global entity structure to ensure the exact ownership and control metrics legally satisfy the "Qualifying Relationship" standard.
2
Business Plan
Business Plan
For an L-1A, the business plan is a legal document, not a pitch deck. We craft the precise narrative required to prove your "Executive" or "Managerial" function to USCIS or the consulate.
For an L-1A, the business plan is a legal document, not a pitch deck. We craft the precise narrative required to prove your "Executive" or "Managerial" function to USCIS or the consulate.
3
Petition Assembly & Filing
Petition Assembly & Filing
We compile the corporate financials, organizational charts, and legal briefs, filing seamlessly with USCIS or the appropriate U.S. Consulate abroad.
We compile the corporate financials, organizational charts, and legal briefs, filing seamlessly with USCIS or the appropriate U.S. Consulate abroad.
4
Extensions & Green Card Strategy
Extensions & Green Card Strategy
Whether preparing for a rapid 1-year "New Office" extension or strategizing your seamless transition to an EB-1C permanent residency (Green Card), our counsel continues long after your initial approval.
Whether preparing for a rapid 1-year "New Office" extension or strategizing your seamless transition to an EB-1C permanent residency (Green Card), our counsel continues long after your initial approval.
Checklist for L-1A visa
Checklist for L-1A visa
Corporate Documents (U.S. & Foreign Entities)
Corporate Documents (U.S. & Foreign Entities)
Proof of Entity (Articles of Incorporation and Tax Registration for both the foreign parent and the U.S. company.)
Stock certificates or ownership documents showing the link (Parent/Subsidiary) between the two companies.
Commercial lease agreement for U.S. office.
Financial Viability (Recent tax returns, bank statements, and the 5-Year Business Plan (for new offices).
The Executive's Documents (Beneficiary)
The Executive's Documents (Beneficiary)
12 months of pay stubs or payroll records from the foreign company.
Organizational charts showing your position above other professionals or managers.
Resume & CV to detail executive experience and track record.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not establish an attorney-client relationship until a formal engagement agreement is signed. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
© 2016-2026 Mamdani Law. All Rights Reserved.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not establish an attorney-client relationship until a formal engagement agreement is signed. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
© 2016-2026 Mamdani Law. All Rights Reserved.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not establish an attorney-client relationship until a formal engagement agreement is signed. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
© 2016-2026 Mamdani Law. All Rights Reserved.