L-1 Visa (Intracompany Transferee)
A nonimmigrant visa for employees transferring from a foreign office to a U.S. office of the same company, no cap, no lottery, but requires one year of employment abroad.
How It Works
The L-1 visa comes in two variants: L-1A for managers and executives (valid for up to 7 years) and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge (valid for up to 5 years). Unlike the H-1B, there is no annual cap and no lottery. The employee must have worked for the company's foreign office for at least one continuous year in the past three years. L-1 visas are commonly used by multinational tech companies, consulting firms, and financial institutions to transfer employees to their U.S. operations. The L-1 also allows "blanket" petitions, which streamline the process for companies that regularly transfer employees.
Related Terms
- H-1B Visa, A nonimmigrant work visa allowing U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in "specialty occupations" that require at least a bachelor's degree, the primary visa for skilled tech, engineering, and professional workers.
- Green Card (Permanent Residency), Lawful permanent resident status in the United States, the ultimate goal for most H-1B workers, granting the right to live and work permanently without employer sponsorship.
Explore H-1B Data
About This Definition
This definition is part of the H1BVisaTracker H-1B Visa Glossary, 26 terms explaining H-1B sponsorship, work visas, and employment-based immigration in the United States. Written for international workers, employers, and immigration professionals.