How many employees does the foreign company need to have to qualify for the L-1?

It is important to understand that the L-1 visa is intended to transfer executives, managers, or professionals with specialized knowledge between companies with a hierarchical relationship, and there is, in practice, no fixed minimum number of employees that the foreign company needs to have to qualify.

Generally, the law does not establish a specific numerical threshold for the number of employees. What is required is that the foreign company (or branch, parent company, or affiliate) making the application maintains a real and continuous operation, meaning that it is effectively conducting business activities.

This means that even companies with a small workforce can be eligible, provided they meet the ownership criteria and operate regularly. In the case of new branches in the United States, there may be a need to demonstrate a minimum initial structure and consistent business planning to support operations, but this does not automatically translate into a set number of employees at the parent company or foreign operation.

It is always recommended to pay attention to U.S. immigration laws and seek guidance from qualified specialists to verify eligibility in each specific case. This helps prevent the spread of incorrect information, scams, or promises of quick results that do not reflect the reality of immigration processes.

Each case has particularities; therefore, a personalized evaluation is essential to ensure compliance with requirements and the production of a consistent petition.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.