Is there a minimum amount of time working at the company required to qualify for the L-1?

The L-1 visa was created to facilitate the transfer of employees between companies within the same group, allowing managers, executives, or professionals with specialized knowledge to be transferred to operations in the United States. One of the recurring questions concerns the minimum amount of time the candidate must have worked at the company abroad before applying for this transfer.

In general, to qualify for the L-1 visa (whether in the L-1A category for executives and managers or L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge), the applicant must have worked continuously for at least one year outside the United States at the same company, affiliate, subsidiary, or parent company. This minimum period of 12 months must have occurred during the three years immediately prior to the transfer request. This requirement aims to prove the necessary experience at the company for the position to be held in the United States.

It is essential to remember that this requirement can vary depending on specific situations and that full compliance with all criteria established by the U.S. authorities is essential for visa approval. Therefore, it is advisable for interested parties to regularly check the official rules and consider consulting reliable sources, paying attention to avoid misleading information or marketing campaigns that guarantee approvals without proper individualized analysis.

Respecting the United States immigration laws and seeking specialized guidance, always through official sources, is the best practice for those intending to correctly follow the transfer process. This way, it is possible to clarify all doubts and adjust the necessary details so that the application is prepared according to the standards required by current legislation.

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.