L-1 visa in the USA — Manager transfer
L-1 visa for transferring a manager or a key employee to a related company in the USA. For businesses opening an office or a branch in the States.
- At least 1 continuous year of work abroad in a managerial or executive role
- or in a specialized knowledge position
- with the petitioning employer or a related organisation
Who it suits
- At least 1 continuous year of work abroad in a managerial or executive role
- Or in a specialized knowledge position
- With the petitioning employer or a related organisation
- Within the 3 years before filing
- Managers and key employees of companies opening an office or a branch in the USA
- Businesses with an existing related structure abroad and in the USA
The terms the expert works on
Prepares the documents and evidence file personally
Assembles and formats the whole package — from forms to achievement evidence for the petition — so it does not come back for rework.
Checks the case against USCIS requirements
Matches the documents to the specific visa category's criteria before filing, not after a denial.
Handles a Request for Evidence at no extra charge
If USCIS sends an RFE on the petition, prepares the response without an additional fee for the case itself.
A US immigration attorney runs the case
The petition is prepared and filed by a lawyer practising US immigration law, not an unlicensed consultant.
Names the price at the consultation, before work starts
The cost is quoted right after the case review — before the petition is drafted — and is not revised upward later, whatever happens along the way.
Matches the category to your profile
If the facts do not support one visa category, proposes the one the case actually fits, rather than forcing the filing into the category you asked for.
Deals with USCIS and the consulate directly
Responds to the agency's requests and prepares you for the interview personally, with no chain of intermediaries.
Residence permit in the US: comparing the options
The difference is not the price — it is who each option suits. The “Best for” column is the business profile the option is built around.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-1 student visa in the USA — School selection + I-20 + preparation | Applicants and students enrolling on a full-time programme in the USA, those who need help choosing an accredited school and arranging the I-20 | 1–4 months | from $1,190 |
| E-2 visa in the USA — Investor visa | Entrepreneurs who are citizens of countries with a treaty with the USA and are ready to run the business themselves, investors who have already invested, or are ready to invest, capital in an operating enterprise in the USA | 1–4 months | from $8,000 |
| L-1 visa in the USA — Manager transferyou are here | Managers and key employees of companies opening an office or a branch in the USA, businesses with an existing related structure abroad and in the USA | 1–4 months | from $12,000 |
| O-1 talent visa in the USA | Academics, artists, athletes and entrepreneurs recognised in their field, those who already have a US employer or agent ready to file the petition | 1–4 months | from $12,500 |
| EB-1A green card in the USA — Extraordinary abilities | Academics, entrepreneurs and professionals with international recognition, those who can evidence extraordinary achievements without a sponsoring employer | 4–6 months | from $12,500 |
What the service includes
| Checking the corporate relationship between the companies and choosing between the L-1A and L-1B categories | |
| Preparing the I-129 petition on behalf of the employing company | |
| Preparing documents on the position, length of service and nature of the work abroad | |
| Support until the USCIS decision | |
| The USCIS filing fee for Form I-129— billed separately | |
| Premium processing on Form I-907 (optional, for a separate fee) | |
| Registration or legal support for the petitioning company itself in the USA— billed separately |
Official terms
Financial requirement
- The company files the petition, not you — the fees go through it
- If the US office is new, the company additionally shows that it has taken premises and is able to pay your salary from day one
Timelines and rights
Review time
USCIS offers expedited review of the I-129 for a separate fee on Form I-907.
Right to work
You work only for the company that transferred you, and in the post described in the petition.
Residence conditions
L-1 is a temporary status with no residence requirements. These years don't count towards citizenship: the clock starts with the green card.
Documents and programme requirements
- 1At least 1 continuous year of work abroad within the last 3 years in a managerial or executive position (L-1A) or in a role with specialised knowledge (L-1B) at the same company or a related organisation
- 2An existing corporate relationship between the foreign and the US company — parent/subsidiary, branch or joint venture
- 3For a new office in the USA — documents on the premises and a business plan confirming the ability to pay a salary from day one
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
- Executives and managers suit EB-1 in the multinational manager subcategory — no labour certification is needed there
- For L-1B the usual route is EB-2 or EB-3 through an employer
Route to citizenship
Only through a green card: 5 years of permanent residence, 30 months of physical presence, Form N-400.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the L-1 visa granted for a new office in the USA?
How many times can the L-1 be extended?
What is the difference between the L-1A and the L-1B?
Can the spouse of an L-1 holder work in the USA?
Does the L-1 lead to a green card?
Related breakdowns
EB-1C green card: a business owner's route via L-1A
How a company owner gets a US green card through their own American branch: the L-1A for a new office, the manager requirements and the EB-1C petition.
US degree evaluation: how work experience counts
What a credential evaluation is, which US visas need it and how 3 years' experience replace 1 year of study. When a bachelor's plus 5 years equals a master's.
EB-1A or O-1: which US talent visa to choose
The O-1 is a work visa for up to 3 years through an employer or agent; the EB-1A is a green card with no employer. Criteria, 2026 fees and how to combine them.
We'll check your case before you pay
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “L-1 visa in the USA — Manager transfer” in US. No markup on top.
We'll cover: whether you qualify, the full cost with fees, realistic timelines, the document list. If it's not for you, we'll say so.