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Why Employers Should Pay Attention to the L-1 Visa Now

Recent changes in U.S. immigration policy have resulted in the cost of filing a new H-1B petition for employees located outside the United States potentially reaching $100,000 for employers.


This measure, introduced by presidential order, has already become a significant barrier for many companies, especially small and medium-sized businesses.


As the H-1B visa becomes increasingly expensive, risky, and unpredictable, many companies from technology startups to large international corporations are seeking an alternative that:

  • does not require participation in a lottery,

  • is not limited by an annual cap,

  • is not subject to the $100,000 requirement,

  • allows for a fast and lawful transfer of an employee to the United States.


The L-1 visa, designed for intracompany transfers, has become that alternative.


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What Is the L-1 Visa?


The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant work visa that allows international companies to transfer their executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge to their U.S. offices.

This visa category was created specifically to help businesses move key personnel efficiently and support the growth of operations in the United States.


There are two types of L-1 visas:


L-1A — for Executives and Managers

Suitable for employees who:

  • manage a department, project, or team;

  • make strategic decisions;

  • oversee budgets or critical business processes;

  • hold a senior leadership position within the international organization.


L-1B — for Employees with Specialized Knowledge

Designed for employees who:

  • possess specialized skills or technical expertise;

  • understand the company’s internal technologies or processes;

  • have knowledge that is difficult to replace in the labor market.


Why the L-1 Visa Is Especially Relevant in 2025–2026


With the introduction of the $100,000 H-1B requirement, the L-1 visa has become a strategically advantageous solution for many employers:

  • No lottery: Petitions can be filed year-round.

  • Pathway to a green card: For executives, L-1A → EB-1C is one of the fastest routes to permanent residence in the U.S.

  • No prevailing wage requirement: Employers are not required to prove that the employee’s salary meets the average wage level in the region.


Key Requirements for the L-1 Visa

To qualify for the L classification, applicants must meet several criteria. The two primary requirements are:

1. Foreign Work Experience

The employee must have:

  • worked at least one continuous year in the company’s foreign office,

  • within the last three years prior to filing,

  • on a full-time basis in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge role.


2. Qualifying Corporate Relationship

The U.S. company and the foreign company must belong to the same corporate group, such as:

  • parent company,

  • subsidiary,

  • branch,

  • affiliated entity.


This is a strict requirement: an employee can be transferred on an L-1 visa only between legally related entities.


Amid political changes and financial barriers surrounding the H-1B visa, the L-1 visa has become one of the most flexible, effective, and predictable tools for globally operating companies.


For employers seeking to retain key talent or open a U.S. office—and for professionals building an international career—the L-1 visa remains one of the most practical and strategically secure pathways to the United States in 2025–2026.


Want to find out whether the L-1 or another visa category is right for you?

We offer individual strategic consultations where we review your situation, assess risks, and identify the optimal immigration pathway for both companies and professionals.



 
 
 

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