What Is the L-1 Visa? L-1A vs L-1B Explained (Requirements & Process)

In this episode of ImmiGreat, Richard Wilner, Board Certified by the State Bar of California as a Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law and Founding Shareholder of Wilner & O’Reilly, explains the L-1A and L-1B visa categories for multinational companies transferring employees to the United States.

This video provides a clear overview of how the L-1 visa works for executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge who are being transferred from a foreign company to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. Unlike treaty-based visas such as the E-1 and E-2, the L-1 visa does not require treaty nationality and is available to qualifying companies and workers from most countries.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between L-1A and L-1B
• The one-year overseas employment requirement
• How company-to-company transfers work under the L-1 visa
• Requirements for transferring to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate
• What qualifies as executive, managerial, and specialized knowledge roles
• L-1 new office visas vs established office transfers
• How long L-1A and L-1B visas are valid (7-year vs 5-year maximums)
• How to apply from inside the U.S. vs through a U.S. consulate abroad
• L-2 dependent visas for spouses and children
• Work authorization for spouses on L-2 status
• School options for children on L-2 visas
• How L-1 visas can later lead to green card options

This episode is ideal for business owners, international companies expanding to the U.S., executives, managers, specialized knowledge workers, and families exploring U.S. work visa options.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific.

Visit www.wilneroreilly.com for more information!