What is the L-1 approval rate?

There is no official approval rate for the L-1 published by U.S. immigration authorities, and any number presented as definitive should be treated with skepticism. Each petition is reviewed individually, so citing a fixed percentage creates a false sense of certainty.

What can be said honestly is that the outcome depends far less on a statistic and far more on whether the case is well-built: the position must genuinely qualify as executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge, and the relationship between the foreign entity and the U.S. company must be clearly established.

The quality and consistency of the documentation tend to carry significant weight. Complete and coherent petitions typically have a smoother path, while poorly prepared filings may face additional requests for evidence or denials, even in profiles that seemed strong.

• There is no official approval percentage on record.
• Correctly classifying the position is decisive.
• Solid documentation reduces the risk of requests for evidence and denials.

Rather than chasing a rate, it is worth checking the updated requirements with USCIS and evaluating your case with a specialist, without relying on promises of guaranteed outcomes.

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.