L-1A Visa

The L‑1A visa allows a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its U.S. offices. It also permits a foreign company to send an executive or manager to the U.S. to establish a new affiliated office, provided the employer files Form I‑129 on behalf of the employee.

Who is the Visa for?

  • Corporate Executives

  • Senior-level Managers

  • Organizational Leaders establishing or overseeing U.S. operations


Eligibility Requirements

  • Employed continuously for one year in the preceding three years by a qualifying foreign organization (e.g., parent, branch, subsidiary, affiliate)

  • Coming to the U.S. to serve in a managerial or executive capacity

  • Executive capacity means the individual has authority for broad decision-making with little oversight; managerial capacity includes primarily supervising professional employees or managing major functions/units of the organization


Visa Duration:

Up to 7 years for L‑1A classification under eligibility extensions (per congressional authorization); initial and extension periods are granted in increments through Form I‑129 process

Processing Time:

  • Requires filing Form I‑129 with USCIS

  • Premium Processing available (typically 15 calendar days, though USCIS uses business days for recent service categories)

  • Standard processing times vary by service center (check USCIS Processing Times tool)

OpenSphere Services:

  • Petition drafting & supporting evidence compilation

  • RFE response preparation and strategy

  • Guidance on new office L-1 petitions

  • End-to-end legal support through USCIS and consular stages