I work in IT and manage a team. Is that L-1A?

Possibly. The L-1A is the category for executives and managers transferred from a multinational company to a branch, subsidiary, affiliate, or parent in the United States. If, in addition to your IT work, you genuinely coordinate and manage a team, there is a good chance you qualify for this category.

The key factor is not the technology field itself, but the managerial or executive nature of your role. What typically matters is whether you have authority to make significant decisions, supervise employees, manage resources, and influence the organization’s strategy. More technical roles, without that level of command, tend to be evaluated as specialized knowledge (L-1B).

There is also a qualifying period of employment with the company abroad prior to the transfer, the details of which should be confirmed at the official source (USCIS), as they vary and are assessed case by case.

Since every situation is unique and depends on the evidence presented, it is worth reviewing your profile with a specialist and checking the current requirements 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.