My company is new abroad but established in the U.S. Can I apply for L-1?

Yes, it is possible. The L-1 was designed to transfer executives, managers, or specialized knowledge professionals between entities with a qualifying relationship (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate). Having an already established operation in the United States and a newly created company abroad does not prevent the petition, as long as that corporate link exists and can be documented.

The key consideration arises when the path involves a new office, especially under the L-1A category for executives and managers. In this case, immigration authorities expect to see that the new operation is real and not merely a formal presence on paper. Elements commonly evaluated include:

• A viable and consistent business plan.
• Physical premises and infrastructure to operate.
• Staff and capacity to sustain continuous and substantial activity.

Even with a long-standing parent company in the U.S., the fact that the foreign operation is recent may require additional documentation (financial resources, contracts, growth strategy) to demonstrate the legitimacy and sustainability of the new office.

Because each corporate structure has its own particularities, it is worth confirming updated requirements through official sources and organizing documentation with specialized support, rather than relying on promises of easy approval.

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.