Moving Abroad

L-1A Visa: Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager Guide

4 min read

In this guide
  1. What is the L-1A visa?
  2. Who can qualify?
  3. What counts as an executive or a manager?
  4. What about opening a new US office?
  5. Step-by-step: how the process works
  6. Is there a new fee to watch?
  7. Common mistakes
  8. Frequently asked questions
    1. Is the L-1A visa the same as the L-1B?
    2. Can a self-employed person get an L-1A?
    3. Does the US employer need to be a big company?
  9. Key takeaways
  10. Related guides
  11. Sources

Quick answer: The L-1A visa lets a company transfer an executive or manager from one of its foreign offices to a related US office. The employee must generally have worked for the company abroad for one continuous year within the last three years, and the US and foreign entities must have a qualifying relationship.

The L-1A visa is one of the most common routes for multinational employers that want to move a senior person to the United States without going through a lottery. This guide explains the rules in plain English so you can tell whether you, or the person you want to transfer, fits the category.

What is the L-1A visa?

The L-1A is the executive and manager version of the L-1 intracompany transferee classification. It allows a US employer to bring an executive or manager from an affiliated foreign office to work in the United States. The specialized-knowledge version is covered separately in our L-1B visa guide.

Who can qualify?

Requirement What it means
Qualifying relationship The foreign employer and the US employer must be related, for example as parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
Prior employment The employee has worked for the foreign entity for one continuous year within the three years before the petition.
Role abroad and in the US The employee was and will be working in an executive or managerial capacity.
Employer in the US The US employer files a petition on the employee’s behalf.

What counts as an executive or a manager?

USCIS defines these roles by what the person actually does, not by job title alone. A manager generally oversees the organization, a department, a subdivision or an essential function, or manages other professionals. An executive generally directs the management of the organization or a major component and has wide decision-making freedom. A long job title without matching duties is not enough, so the petition should describe real responsibilities.

What about opening a new US office?

An employer that is setting up a new office in the United States can also use the L-1 category, but the rules for new offices are stricter because there is no operating history to rely on. USCIS looks closely at whether the new office will be able to support an executive or managerial position. If you are in this situation, read the new office section on the USCIS page and prepare a detailed business plan.

Step-by-step: how the process works

  1. Confirm the company relationship between the foreign and US entities.
  2. Check that the employee has the required year of continuous employment abroad in the last three years.
  3. Describe the executive or managerial duties abroad and in the US role.
  4. The US employer files the petition with USCIS.
  5. After approval, the employee applies for the visa or status as instructed for their situation.

Is there a new fee to watch?

USCIS has posted an alert about a Biometric Fee final rule that takes effect on September 9, 2026, covering H-1B and L-1 petitions filed by covered employers. Check the current alert on the USCIS L-1A page and the latest fee schedule before you file.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on the job title. The duties must show management or executive work.
  • Breaking the one-year rule. Time worked for an unrelated employer usually does not count.
  • Ignoring the company relationship. Ownership and control must be documented.
  • Using outdated fees. Always check the current USCIS fee information.

Frequently asked questions

Is the L-1A visa the same as the L-1B?

No. L-1A is for executives and managers. L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge.

Can a self-employed person get an L-1A?

The petition is filed by a US employer that has a qualifying relationship with the foreign entity, so it is built around a company structure rather than self-employment alone.

Does the US employer need to be a big company?

The rule is about the relationship between the entities and the role, not a fixed company size. New offices face extra scrutiny.

Key takeaways

  • L-1A is for executives and managers transferred within a related company group.
  • One continuous year abroad within the last three years is the usual requirement.
  • Duties matter more than titles.
  • Check the new biometric fee alert before filing.

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm details with USCIS or a qualified immigration attorney.

Sources

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager

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