L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 1825 days
- Processing time
- Regular: varies; Premium: 15 days
- Fee
- $6,800+ USD
- Validity
- L-1A: up to 7 years; L-1B: up to 5 years
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Eligibility
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Employment
Must have worked for related foreign company (parent, subsidiary, branch, affiliate) for at least 1 continuous year in past 3 years in managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity. Must be coming to US to work for related company.
Required status: 1 year employment at foreign related company in past 3 years
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 6
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Photo
Count: 1; Specifications: 2x2 inches, color, white background, taken within 6 months.
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: DS-160 (after I-129 approval); Form url: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
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Curriculum vitae
Provide a current CV showing education, work history and relevant qualifications.
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Company registration
Provide company registration evidence for the inviting, sponsoring or employing organisation.
Accepted documents: Evidence of qualifying relationship between US and foreign companies (parent, subsidiary, branch, affiliate). Corporate documents, ownership structure.
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Petition approval notice
Form number: Form I-129 filed by employer; Must be original: No
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Work contract
Provide a signed job offer, contract or assignment letter showing the role, dates and employer.
Must be notarized: No; Must be translated: Yes
How to apply
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Document gathering
Employer gathers evidence of qualifying relationship between companies, employee's work history, job description for US position.
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Fee payment
Employer files Form I-129 with fees: $1,385 base ($695 small) + $600 asylum fee ($300 small) + optional $2,805 premium + possible $4,500 Public Law 114-113 fee.
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Processing wait
USCIS processes I-129. Premium processing available for 15-day processing.
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Online application
After I-129 approval, complete DS-160 online.
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Interview
Attend visa interview with I-129 approval, DS-160, supporting documents.
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Visa collection
Collect passport with visa if approved.