Many international companies look to the United States to expand their operations—whether it’s an IT firm, a medical group, or a restaurant business entering the U.S. market. One of the most effective immigration tools for this type of expansion is the L-1 visa, which allows companies to transfer key personnel from a foreign office to a U.S. entity.
Importantly, the L-1 visa is not limited by nationality. Unlike some other visa categories, citizenship does not matter for L-1 eligibility. What matters is the company relationship and the employee’s role.
What Is the L-1 Visa?
The L-1 visa is designed for intracompany transferees. It allows a U.S. company to bring executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge from a related foreign company.
There are three main L-1 categories:
- L-1A – Executives and Managers
- L-1B – Specialized Knowledge Employees
- L-1 Blanket – Streamlined processing for large multinational companies
L-1A Visa: For Executives and Managers
The L-1A visa is ideal for senior leaders who will oversee business operations in the U.S.
Who qualifies for L-1A?
- Executives who direct the organization or a major function
- Managers who supervise professional staff or manage a key department
- Business owners who will run U.S. operations at a strategic level
Common examples
- An IT company founder opening a U.S. development or consulting office
- A medical group executive overseeing clinic operations or expansion
- A restaurant group owner launching or managing multiple U.S. locations
Key benefits
- Initial approval of up to 3 years
- Extensions up to 7 years total
- Direct pathway to a green card (EB-1C) for multinational managers
L-1B Visa: For Employees With Specialized Knowledge
The L-1B visa is for employees who have unique knowledge of the company’s products, systems, processes, or methodologies.
Who qualifies for L-1B?
- Employees with proprietary or advanced company-specific knowledge
- Professionals whose expertise is not easily replaced in the U.S.
- Technical, operational, or process-driven specialists
Common examples
- An IT engineer with deep knowledge of internal software systems
- A medical operations specialist trained in proprietary workflows
- A restaurant operations manager familiar with unique recipes, supply chains, or training systems
Key benefits
- Initial approval of up to 3 years
- Extensions up to 5 years total
- No education degree requirement (case-specific)
L-1 Blanket Visa: Faster Processing for Large Companies
The L-1 Blanket is not a separate visa type, but a pre-approval system for qualifying multinational companies that frequently transfer employees.
Who qualifies for an L-1 Blanket?
Companies that:
- Have offices in multiple countries
- Have at least 1 year of U.S. operations, and
- Meet revenue, employee, or petition volume thresholds
Why companies use L-1 Blanket
- Faster processing at U.S. consulates
- No USCIS petition required for each employee
- Ideal for IT firms, healthcare networks, and franchise or restaurant groups with ongoing transfer needs
Does Citizenship Matter for L-1 Visas?
No.
L-1 visas are not nationality-restricted.
Eligibility depends on:
- A qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. companies
- At least one year of employment abroad within the last three years
- The nature of the role in the U.S.
This makes the L-1 category especially attractive for global companies headquartered anywhere in the world.
Opening a New U.S. Office Under L-1
Companies that do not yet have a U.S. presence may still qualify under a “new office” L-1.
This is common for:
- IT consulting firms
- International medical groups
- Restaurant and hospitality businesses
USCIS closely reviews:
- Business plans
- Office location
- Staffing timelines
- Financial projections
Proper planning is essential for approval and future extensions.
L-1 Visas and Green Card Planning
One major advantage of the L-1 category—especially L-1A—is its compatibility with permanent residence.
- L-1A → EB-1C (Multinational Manager Green Card)
- L-1B → EB-2 or EB-3 (depending on role and qualifications)
Early immigration strategy can significantly reduce long-term risk and delays.
How NPZ Law Group Can Help
NPZ Law Group assists global businesses across industries with:
- L-1A, L-1B, and L-1 Blanket petitions
- New office L-1 filings
- IT firm and medical group expansions
- Restaurant and hospitality business immigration
- Long-term green card planning
We work closely with business owners, executives, and HR teams to align immigration strategy with business growth.
If your company is considering expanding to the U.S., or transferring key personnel, our team can help determine the best L-1 option for your situation.
FAQ: L-1A, L-1B, and L-1 Blanket Visas
1. Does citizenship matter for an L-1 visa?
No. The L-1 visa is not nationality-specific. Eligibility is based on the relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. company, and the employee’s role—not citizenship.
2. Can a small company or startup qualify for an L-1 visa?
Yes. Even smaller companies and startups may qualify, including under a “new office” L-1, as long as they can show a viable U.S. business plan, proper ownership structure, and qualifying employee roles.
3. What is the difference between L-1A and L-1B?
L-1A is for executives and managers who oversee people, departments, or the overall business.
L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s products, systems, or processes.
4. Can a business owner qualify for an L-1 visa?
Yes. Owners can qualify if they will primarily perform executive or managerial duties in the U.S., rather than day-to-day operational work.
5. How long must the employee have worked abroad to qualify?
The employee must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years before applying for the L-1 visa.
6. What is an L-1 Blanket visa and who benefits most from it?
An L-1 Blanket allows large multinational companies to transfer employees more quickly without filing individual petitions with USCIS. It is especially useful for IT firms, healthcare groups, and restaurant or franchise chains with frequent transfers.
7. Can L-1 visa holders apply for a green card?
Yes.
L-1A holders often qualify for the EB-1C green card category.
L-1B holders may pursue EB-2 or EB-3 options depending on qualifications and job duties.
8. Can family members come to the U.S. on an L-1 visa?
Yes. Spouses and children can apply for L-2 status. Spouses are eligible to work in the U.S., and children may attend school.
Contact Information
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.