L-1 visa: frequently asked questions

It is the intracompany transfer visa. It moves a worker from a company office in Chile to a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in the United States. It requires a qualifying corporate relationship between both entities and a destination role that is executive, managerial, or specialised knowledge.

L-1A covers executives and managers and allows stays of up to seven years. L-1B covers employees with specialised knowledge of the company's products, services or procedures and allows up to five years. L-1A also offers a more direct route to permanent residence through the EB-1C category.

At least one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding the application, at a related entity outside the United States. That year must be full time. Periods worked inside the United States do not count toward the requirement, though they do not break the count.

Yes. There is a new-office option, granted initially for one year rather than three. At renewal you must show the US operation is genuinely running: premises, commercial activity, and for L-1A a staffing structure that supports a managerial role.

Yes. An L-2 spouse holds work authorisation derived from their status and may work for any employer in any sector. That is a meaningful difference from H-4, where work permission depends on far narrower circumstances.

It is a general approval certain large companies can obtain to transfer staff without filing an individual USCIS petition for each worker. With a valid blanket, the employee can go directly to the consulate, which shortens timelines considerably.

Yes, it allows dual intent. L-1A is particularly favourable because it connects to the EB-1C category for multinational managers and executives, which requires no PERM labour certification and is often among the fastest routes to a green card.

It can, but the review is stricter. You must show a genuine qualifying corporate relationship between the Chilean and US entities, and that the role is truly executive or managerial rather than a one-person operation. It is worth evaluating the E-2 in parallel.