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Do American embassies issue the L-1 globally?

U.S. embassies operate worldwide, but the L-1 is not issued by just any post: the request follows the consular jurisdiction of your region. Here is how it works.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 17, 2026
1 min read
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Not exactly. U.S. embassies and consulates operate worldwide, but the L-1 is not issued automatically by just any post: the request follows the consular jurisdiction that covers the region where you live or where the company is authorized to operate.

In practice, the process typically works as follows: USCIS approves the company’s petition, and then the applicant attends an interview at the consulate or embassy responsible for their area. Each post has its own guidelines and scheduling, so the process depends on that jurisdiction’s rules, not on a single standard that applies everywhere.

  • Consular services exist globally but operate by jurisdiction.
  • You apply at the post that serves your region of residence.
  • Each consulate sets its own availability and local scheduling rules.

Since each post may have its own requirements, always check the official website of the consulate or embassy in your region and, when in doubt, seek specialized guidance before scheduling your appointment.

Learn more about L-1

Type
Intracompany transfer
Duration
1-3 years
Extension
Up to 5-7 years
Processing
2-5 months
All about L-1

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.

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Do American embassies issue the L-1 globally?

U.S. embassies operate worldwide, but the L-1 is not issued by just any post: the request follows the consular jurisdiction of your region. Here is how it works.

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