Business Immigration · L-1A, L-1B and new office
L‑1 transfers and new-office petitions for companies expanding into the U.S.
The L-1 lets a company with operations abroad transfer a manager or executive (L-1A) or a specialized-knowledge employee (L-1B) to a related U.S. company. The new-office L-1A is how many founders open their first U.S. office. It gives a one-year runway to build the business, and it can lead to an EB-1C green card. We structure the U.S. entity, the lease and the business plan so that the first-year extension works.
What our L-1 service covers
- Qualifying-relationship and foreign-employment review.
- Duty descriptions and organization charts for both entities.
- For new offices: the business plan, the premises review and a first-year hiring plan.
- Form I-129 with the L supplement, filed with or without premium processing.
- RFE responses within scope, and consular or change-of-status guidance.
L-1A or L-1B
| L-1A | L-1B | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Manager or executive | Specialized knowledge of the company's products, processes or procedures |
| Foreign employment | One continuous year in the last three, with the related company abroad | Same |
| Maximum stay | Seven years | Five years |
| Green-card path | EB-1C (no PERM) | Usually PERM |
Definitions are in 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(1)(ii)), and the time limits in (l)(15)(15)).
New office: what you need
Under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(3)(v)(3)(v)), a new-office L-1A petition must show:
- Sufficient physical premises have been secured. A signed lease suited to the business, not a virtual office.
- The beneficiary worked one continuous year in the last three as a manager or executive abroad.
- The new office will support a managerial or executive position within one year, shown by the size of the U.S. investment, the financial ability of the foreign company, the organizational structure and the business plan.
New-office approvals are limited to one year. The extension must prove the office is doing business with staff, payroll and revenue (214.2(l)(14)(ii)(14)(ii))). For African companies, we often pair the petition with a Delaware C-corp formation so that ownership, banking and the lease line up from day one.
Government fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Form I-129, L classification | $1,385 (paper) / $1,335 (online) |
| Asylum Program Fee | $600 standard / $300 (small employer or self-petitioner) small employer |
| Fraud prevention and detection fee (initial petitions) | $500 |
| Premium processing, optional | $2,965 |
| Visa application (MRV) at a consulate | $205 |
Government fees as of Oct. 24, 2026, from USCIS Form G-1055, edition 10/16/26. Confirm before filing.
Small employers and nonprofits pay a reduced I-129 fee. Large employers with many H-1B and L-1 workers may owe an additional statutory fee. Under a blanket L, the fraud fee is paid at the consulate. Confirm amounts on the G-1055 and the State Department fee page. For processing, see the USCIS processing-times tool.
From L-1A to EB-1C
Managers and executives on L-1A can move to a green card through EB-1C, without PERM, once the U.S. company has been doing business for a year and the role is clearly managerial or executive.
If USCIS is slow or denies the L-1
Most L-1 denials argue that the role is not managerial, the knowledge is not specialized, or the new office cannot support the position. See L-1A denial options and I-129 RFEs by classification.
Who handles your case
Immigration filings are prepared and signed by a licensed U.S. immigration attorney who works with DC Federal Litigation PLLC. Consultations are available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic. If an agency delays or denies your case and federal court is the right next step, DC Federal Litigation PLLC handles the litigation.
DC Federal Litigation PLLC works from its Washington, DC office on the strategy and on any federal-court action. If the agency sits on your case or denies it on grounds the regulation does not support, the litigation stays with the firm. You are told in writing, before any work begins, who does what on your matter and how the fee is shared.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the L-1 if I own the foreign company?
Yes. Owners can be L-1 beneficiaries if they meet the one-year foreign-employment rule and will hold a managerial, executive or specialized-knowledge role. The petition must show the company employs them, not just that they own it.
How much must a new office invest?
The regulation sets no minimum. USCIS looks at whether the investment and the foreign company's resources can realistically support a managerial or executive role within one year. The business plan and funding evidence carry that showing.
Can my spouse work?
L-2 spouses are authorized to work incident to status. Children under 21 receive L-2 status and may study.
What is a blanket L?
Large multinational groups can obtain blanket L approval under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(4), which lets eligible employees apply directly at a consulate without an individual petition.
Does a home-based office count as premises?
Usually not. USCIS expects premises suitable for the business described and the staff planned. A virtual or residential address is a common reason for denying a new-office petition.
What happens at the one-year extension?
USCIS reviews whether the office is operating as planned: staffing, payroll, revenue and the beneficiary's managerial role. Building that evidence during the first year is the key to the extension.
Plan the first U.S. office around the L-1 rules
Book a paid consultation. We review the corporate structure, the role and the U.S. plan. If you engage the firm within 30 days, your consultation fee is credited in full toward your initial retainer.