Is the H-1B easier to get than the L-1?

There is no single answer: H-1B and L-1 serve different profiles, so “easier” depends on your situation. Comparing the two by difficulty only makes sense when you look at who the applicant is.

The main differences:

• The H-1B is for those who have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation, but it goes through a lottery, and demand typically far exceeds the available slots, which adds an element of chance.
• The L-1 is for the intracompany transfer of employees from a multinational company to a U.S. office. It does not use a lottery, but it requires a qualifying period of prior employment with the company abroad and a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role.

In other words, for those already working at a multinational, the L-1 can be more straightforward; for those with a qualifying job offer but no international employment tie, the H-1B may be the path forward, even though it involves the lottery. The best approach is to evaluate your case with a specialist and check the updated requirements at the official source.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.