Who can apply for the L-1B?

The L-1B is the L-1 category for employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s own processes, products, or methodologies. This is the professional whose expertise is not readily available in the market and who helps the company innovate, improve, or maintain its competitiveness.

In practice, the petition is filed by the multinational company itself, not the employee. The company must demonstrate the qualifying relationship between the foreign entity and the U.S. unit (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate) and establish that the employee has completed the qualifying period of employment within the group abroad prior to the transfer.

• Profile: employee with specialized knowledge of the company.
• Petitioner: the company, which proves the relationship between entities.
• Time requirement: a qualifying period of prior employment abroad.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth reviewing the updated criteria directly with USCIS and structuring the documentation with the support of 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.