I had an L-1 before. Can I switch to L-1A and gain more time in status?

It depends on how your previous time was counted. The L visa is an intracompany transfer and is divided into L-1A, for executives and managers, and L-1B, for employees with specialized knowledge. Each category has a maximum total period of authorized stay, and that time is cumulative across your entire history under L status.

In other words, the time you have already used applies toward the overall permitted total. Switching categories can, in theory, leave some authorized stay available, but this depends on how your previous time was calculated, which category you held, and whether you meet the requirements of the new one, especially the executive or managerial profile required by L-1A.

• L status time is tallied cumulatively throughout your entire history.
• Time already used counts toward the total limit.
• Switching to L-1A requires meeting that category’s requirements.

Because the limits and how time is counted can change and depend on your individual history, always confirm the current maximum L stay periods with USCIS and evaluate your case with a specialist before filing.

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.