Standard Operating Procedure
L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Manager/Executive)
Transfer managers/executives from foreign offices to US operations
The L-1A visa allows multinational companies to transfer managers or executives from foreign offices to US-affiliated entities. Requires at least 1 year of managerial/executive employment abroad in the past 3 years. Initial validity 3 years (1 year for new offices), extendable up to 7 years.
Overall Workflow
Verify qualifying relationship between US and foreign entity (parent/subsidiary/affiliate/branch). Review ownership structure and control chain. Confirm US entity has been doing business for at least 1 year (new office exception applies).
1-3 days
Evaluate per INA §101(a)(44): Manager — manages organization/department/function, supervises other managers/professionals; Executive — sets goals/policies, has wide decision-making authority. Analyze org chart to confirm managerial hierarchy.
"Manager of essential function" is a common approach, but must have substantive managerial duties, not just senior individual contributor.
Provide for both entities: registration documents, annual reports/financials, tax returns (2-3 years), ownership proof (stock certificates, shareholder resolutions), employee rosters and payroll records.
US entity authorized signatory signs Support Letter detailing: company operations, qualifying relationship, beneficiary's duties abroad and in US, management structure. Provide clear org charts (marking beneficiary position, subordinate count and titles).
Provide: passport, all degree certificates, resume (emphasize management experience), foreign payroll/tax records, all prior I-797s/visa records.
Explain to attorney in detail: specific duties at foreign entity, departments/teams/headcount managed, scope of decision-making authority, reporting structure. Attorney will use this for the Petition Letter.
Complete I-129 + L Classification Supplement. Draft detailed Petition Letter arguing: (1) qualifying relationship (2) 1+ year managerial experience abroad (3) continued managerial role in US (4) US entity can support managerial structure.
If US entity less than 1 year old, additionally submit: detailed business plan (first year operations), premises proof (lease), financial ability evidence (investment/bank statements), first year staffing plan.
New office L-1A initially approved for only 1 year; extension requires proof of operations per plan.
Foreign entity must provide: beneficiary employment verification letter (with dates, title, managerial duties), foreign entity org chart, foreign entity financial/operational proof.
After approval: (A) If abroad → schedule US Consulate interview with I-797, passport, DS-160, company letter; (B) If in US → begin working once status change is effective.
File I-129 petition. Track case status. Handle RFE (common L-1A RFEs: insufficient managerial hierarchy, inadequate qualifying relationship evidence). After approval, assist with visa stamping or status change.
Steps by Role
Attorney Procedures
Verify qualifying relationship between US and foreign entity (parent/subsidiary/affiliate/branch). Review ownership structure and control chain. Confirm US entity has been doing business for at least 1 year (new office exception applies).
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