Visa | L-1
Ideal for companies looking to expand operations in the US.
Facilitates the transfer of talent for long-term projects.
Enables career advancement in the United States within the same company.
What is the L-1 Visa?
The L-1 visa allows the transfer of executives or managers (L-1A) and specialized knowledge workers (L-1B) between companies within the same multinational organization. It is a way to move talent to the US.
The requirement establishes that the beneficiary must have worked for the company abroad for one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding the petition, ensuring the technical consistency of the filing.
Companies without an established US office may also use the visa to send executives or specialized knowledge workers to open a new office, enabling the start of operations in the United States.
Who is the L-1 Visa for?
The L-1 visa is intended for executives or managers who exercise authority over policies and teams, as well as professionals with specialized knowledge essential to the operations of a multinational company.
The L-1A subcategory serves directors with strategic decision-making authority. The L-1B is designed for employees with expertise in systems, processes, or products exclusive to the organization in which they work.
The focus of this category is the continuity of a technical or managerial career in the United States. The visa allows for the intent of future permanent residence, facilitating the transition to a Green Card.
L-1 Visa Eligibility Criteria
Business relationship
The foreign company must have a qualifying relationship as a parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate with the new operation in the United States.
Active global operations
The company must be actively operating in the US and in at least one other country, through a parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, throughout the entire period of the beneficiary's stay.
One year of prior employment
The beneficiary must have worked for the international company for one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding the petition.
Legitimate employment intent
The petition must establish that the professional will perform high-level specialized or managerial roles in the United States.
Managerial or executive position
For the L-1A, the professional must perform executive or managerial functions, with decision-making authority and oversight of teams or company goals.
Specialized knowledge
For the L-1B, the professional must have expertise in proprietary processes, systems, or products that are essential to the multinational organization.
Don't wait any longer. Find out if you are eligible for the L-1 and accelerate your U.S. immigration. YOUSA will guide you all the way to your Green Card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the L-1 visa lead to a Green Card?
Yes. The L-1 is a "dual intent" visa, which allows the beneficiary to seek permanent residence without affecting their nonimmigrant status. Executives and managers under the L-1A category may pursue permanent residence through the EB-1C classification (Multinational Executives and Managers), which does not require the labor certification process (PERM). While not automatic, this pathway tends to be more straightforward for professionals performing strategic functions at companies with structured international operations.
How to obtain the L-1 visa?
The applicant must have worked for at least one year within the last three years for a foreign company that has a qualifying corporate relationship with the US entity (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate). The transfer must be for the purpose of performing executive, managerial (L-1A), or specialized knowledge (L-1B) functions.
Which offices in Brazil can assist with the L-1 visa process?
Law firms specializing in US immigration, such as YOUSA Law Firm, are best suited to structure the process for companies, taking into account all of the beneficiary's technical documentation.
What are the requirements to obtain the L-1 visa in the US?
The company must be actively operating in the US and in at least one other country. The employee must demonstrate that they performed managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge functions during the period required under immigration regulations.
What are the eligibility requirements for the L-1A visa, for executives and managers?
For executives, it is required to demonstrate broad authority to make decisions without close supervision. For managers, it is necessary to show oversight of a section, department, or essential function of the company, or the supervision and control of other professional-level employees. In both cases, the position must be strategic in nature and not merely operational.
How much does the L-1 visa cost?
The total cost includes mandatory USCIS filing fees and, for those who choose to expedite the adjudication process, the Premium Processing fee. The total amount may also include the cost of specialized legal services, which are important to avoid errors and increase the likelihood of approval.
How long does the L-1 visa take?
Processing can take up to seven months, based on estimates from 2026. With the Premium Processing fee, USCIS issues a decision on the petition (approval, request for evidence, notice of intent to deny, or denial) within 15 business days.
Understanding the Steps to Your Green Card
Eligibility Assessment
A precise evaluation of your profile, conducted at no cost to you, as part of our commitment to transparency. We assess whether you meet the rigorous criteria established by U.S. immigration law (USCIS) to apply for a Green Card.
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Meeting with a Specialist
We review every detail of your profile and analyze the specifics of your case to determine the best visa option for you. We answer your questions and manage expectations so you have full clarity and confidence before we begin building your case.
Legal Strategy Development
The legal expertise behind the Green Card process is what determines the strength of a case. We develop a detailed technical narrative focused on transforming your background and qualifications into persuasive arguments for review by the USCIS officer.
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Document Collection
We provide comprehensive support in organizing the evidence that truly carries weight in the U.S. immigration process. We work alongside you to ensure that the documentation presented accurately supports the legal argument developed for your case.
Filing the Application
This is the final stage of preparation. We consolidate the strategy and documentation into a robust dossier and formally file your U.S. immigration application with the relevant authorities, officially beginning your legal journey on American soil.
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Post-Filing Follow-Up
Our commitment is to provide full transparency on the progress of your journey toward the Green Card. We monitor every status update with USCIS and act swiftly on any additional requests, ensuring proactive case management through to the final decision.
Green Card in Hand
The definitive achievement of your U.S. immigration journey. The United States is no longer a dream but your new home. You and your family gain the right to live, work, and thrive in the country, with all the benefits of a global citizen.
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Begin your Green Card journey with a team that understands legal strategy. Get your eligibility assessment at no cost.
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Higor Medeiros
Excellent service. A meeting where they patiently explained our options for immigrating to the USA. We were very satisfied and would definitely recommend YOUSA.
Maria Luísa Moreno
Excellent service! They answered all my questions with great patience and dedication. I started my process with YOUSA and recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy attorney.
Maila Fernandes
We had a consultation with Dr. Otávio and he was extremely professional and insightful. We hired YOUSA confident that we are well advised to succeed in our case.
Leandro Alves Duarte
YOUSA is a very honest and serious firm. It has excellent staff who are also very personable. Congratulations on the outstanding work.
Join YOUSA's success cases. Have your profile assessed by our specialists and begin your legal life on American soil.Join YOUSA's success cases. Have your profile assessed by our specialists and begin your legal life on American soil.
Otavio Haverroth Silva
Attorney at law
We believe that connecting skilled immigrants is a transformative force for the development of the United States.
We are committed to your dream of living in the United States. Your U.S. immigration journey is what drives our everyday work.
We are selective about the cases we take
We believe in immigration cases with a legitimate background and a realistic chance of approval. That is our priority.
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We work to transform the complexity of each case into a smoother and more transparent journey for our clients.
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We listen to your story, understand your dream, develop a legal strategy, and support you until you receive your Green Card.
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