The Bernard Firm helps international businesses transfer executives and managers through the L-1A visa process. Work with an experienced L-1A visa lawyer to handle your petition with precision.
Expanding your business into the U.S. requires more than a market strategy—it demands the correct visa to transfer leadership. Many companies underestimate how detailed the process can be when moving executives or managers from abroad. A single misstep in petition preparation can lead to costly setbacks or denials.
That’s where legal support matters. A knowledgeable L-1A visa lawyer can help structure the petition, clarify eligibility, and manage supporting documentation in line with USCIS expectations. This reduces the risk of delays and strengthens your company’s ability to scale its operations across borders.
At The Bernard Firm P.L.C., we work with farms, service companies, universities, and businesses of all sizes to bring executive-level employees into the U.S. Our immigration services are designed to meet both business goals and regulatory standards, ensuring your team can focus on growth—not paperwork. Explore our immigration practice.
The L-1A Visa Program
The L-1A nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company that does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send an executive or manager to establish one. The employer must file a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with a fee, on behalf of the employee.
L-1A Visa
This dual-purpose visa—meaning that its beneficiaries can apply for permanent residency after receiving it—is designed to allow those in leadership positions to establish or further their company’s business interests across international borders. The L-1A visa requires certain qualifications, and only employees who serve in executive or managerial capacities can receive a visa under this classification.
- Executive capacity: The employee can make professional decisions without significant oversight.
- Managerial capacity: The employee has the ability to supervise and control the work of professional-level employees and/or perform an essential function of the organization.
Documentation Required for an L-1A Petition
Supporting documentation is a critical part of any L-1A submission. Employers must provide proof of the corporate relationship between the U.S. and foreign entities, such as articles of incorporation, annual reports, or stock certificates. Additionally, the petition should clearly outline the employee’s job duties abroad and in the U.S., emphasizing their executive or managerial role. Detailed organizational charts and position descriptions often help clarify these distinctions.
To strengthen the case, petitioners may include internal policy documents, employee evaluation records, and meeting summaries highlighting the employee’s involvement in high-level planning or strategic operations. Supporting evidence that confirms direct oversight of teams, project authority, or departmental leadership further helps to distinguish the role from a lower-tier supervisory position. Including payroll summaries or benefits information may also demonstrate the significance and scope of the executive’s authority within the organization.
Transitioning from L-1A to EB-1C Green Card
One advantage of the L-1A visa is the ability to pursue a green card without leaving the U.S. through the EB-1C immigrant category. While the standards for executive or managerial duties are similar, the documentation requirements can be more rigorous. Demonstrating sustained business operations and the need for ongoing leadership is key to a successful EB-1C adjustment. Working with legal counsel during this transition helps ensure continuity and avoids unnecessary complications.
In addition to proving continued employment and company viability, applicants may benefit from submitting evidence of long-term operational growth. Updated organizational charts, audited financial statements, and business plans showing expansion goals can reinforce the executive nature of the role. USCIS often scrutinizes these filings more closely, so clarifying how the role continues to guide core business decisions is essential. Clear documentation helps reduce the risk of RFEs or denials during the adjustment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of businesses use the L-1A visa?
Companies with a qualifying relationship between foreign and U.S. entities—whether in construction, agriculture, education, or tech—can petition for executives or managers through the L-1A classification.
How long can an executive stay in the U.S. on this visa?
Initial stays last up to one year for new U.S. offices and three years for established operations. Extensions may allow a total stay of seven years.
Does the L-1A visa lead to a green card?
Yes. The L-1A is one of the few nonimmigrant visas considered “dual intent,” which means executives may later apply for permanent residency through the EB-1C immigrant visa category.
Can family members accompany the visa holder?
Yes. Spouses and children under 21 may enter the U.S. under L-2 status. L-2 spouses automatically receive and request work authorization incident to their status.
Do startups qualify for the L-1A visa?
In some cases, yes. The Bernard Firm P.L.C. helps evaluate whether your new business meets the USCIS requirements for a qualifying relationship and operational viability.
Getting It Right from the Start
Transferring an executive to the U.S. isn’t just a legal formality—it’s a strategic decision that affects the trajectory of your business. An unclear petition or misaligned job description can result in long delays or even rejection, putting your expansion efforts at risk.
By working with an experienced L-1A visa attorney, your company gets more than form preparation. We provide end-to-end support that anticipates compliance issues, documents managerial capacity, and aligns your immigration filing with long-term business plans.
At The Bernard Firm P.L.C., we bring years of experience in immigration law and business operations. If you’re ready to begin the L-1A process or need help with an existing petition, connect with our team today to get started.