{"id":"usa-l1a","name":"USA L-1A Intracompany Executive/Manager Visa","type":"RBI","status":"operational","country":"United States","country_code":"US","url":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/usa-l1a-visa","min_investment":{"amount":null,"currency":"USD","route":"Transfer of an executive or manager from a related company abroad (no investment threshold)"},"qualification_basis":"investment","investment_routes":[{"name":"L-1A transfer to an existing US office","type":"Intracompany transfer to a US parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate already doing business in the US for 1 year or more","min":null},{"name":"L-1A to open a new US office","type":"Intracompany transfer of an executive or manager to open (or be employed in) a US office doing business for less than one year","min":null},{"name":"EB-1C Multinational Executive or Manager (green card)","type":"Employment-based first-preference immigrant petition (Form I-140, category E13) — the permanent-residence bridge from L-1A","min":null}],"family_pricing":null,"processing_time":null,"visa_free_count":179,"passport_index_rank":null,"key_destinations":null,"travel_access":null,"minimum_stay":null,"tax_note":"tax residency: value: IRS: residents' worldwide income is subject to US tax. An L-1A holder becomes a US tax resident under the Substantial Presence Test (at least 31 days in the current year and 183 weighted days over 3 years); a green-card holder is a US tax resident.; source url: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxation-of-us-residents; verified date: 2026-10-12","path_to_citizenship":null,"highlights":["TEMPORARY dual-intent visa, max 7 years — not a green card","No treaty-nationality requirement","Bridge to the EB-1C green card for executives and managers"],"atomic_answer":"The USA L-1A visa lets a multinational company transfer an executive or manager who has worked for a related company abroad for at least one year in the last three to its US office, including a new office. It is a temporary, dual-intent visa of up to seven years — not a green card — and the EB-1C petition is its green-card follow-on.","fees":{"due_diligence":null,"processing":null,"interview":null,"certificate":null,"application_main":null,"application_dependent":null,"notes":null,"other":{"note":"Government fees only — separate from Mirabello's advisory fee and the independent attorney's fee. Source: USCIS Form G-1055 Fee Schedule, edition 10/07/26 (verified 2026-10-12, re-read 2026-10-13); 22 CFR 22.1 for consular fees. Re-verify before each publish."}},"last_updated":"2026-10-13","data_freshness":{"verification_confidence":92,"last_verified":"2026-10-13","fields_tracked":3,"stale_fields":0},"mirabello_index":{"composite":83,"rank_overall":null,"rank_in_type":null,"scores":{"mobility":100,"tax":55,"stability":65},"confidence":0.43},"regulatory_status":{"fatf_list":null,"eu_tax_list":null,"us_sanctions":null,"oecd_crs_high_risk_scheme":false,"as_of":"2026-06","status":"not listed on FATF, EU tax, US OFAC, or OECD CRS-risk lists"},"processing_stages":["Structure check: qualifying relationship between the foreign company and the US entity; one year of executive/managerial employment abroad","New office: secure premises, fund the US entity, prepare the one-year business and staffing plan","I-129 L petition by the US entity (optionally premium processing)","Consular visa interview, or change of status in the US","Admission: up to 3 years (new office: up to 1 year)","Extensions in up to 2-year increments to 7 years; new office extension requires staffing and financial evidence","EB-1C: I-140 once the US employer has been doing business at least 1 year; then I-485 or consular immigrant visa when a visa number is available"],"required_documents":null,"biometric_enrolment":null,"dependant_additions":null,"nationality_naturalisation":null,"region":"North America","family":{"id":"usa-l1a","country_code":"US","family_model":"both","relatives":{"spouse":{"eligible":true,"unmarried_partner":false,"same_sex":true,"min_age_inclusive":null,"conditions":"Legal spouse, L-2 classification. 'Spouses of L-1 workers in valid L-2S nonimmigrant status are considered employment authorized incident to status' (USCIS); an unexpired I-94 annotated L-2S (code introduced 30 Jan 2022) is acceptable evidence; an EAD is optional (Form I-765 with fee). Same-sex marriage recognised on the place-of-celebration rule: USCIS Policy Manual Vol 6 Pt B Ch 6 states same-sex marriage is a lawful basis for immigration benefits where valid in the place of celebration, even if the state of residence does not recognise it. Civil unions, domestic partnerships and other relationships not recognised as marriage in the place of celebration are generally not treated as marriages. Proxy marriages (parties not physically present) are not a 'spouse' unless consummated (INA 101(a)(35))."},"children":{"eligible":true,"max_age_inclusive":20,"age_rule_text":"USCIS L-1A page: the transferee 'may be accompanied or followed by their spouse and unmarried children' under 21, in L-2 classification.","age_measured_at":"each admission, change of status and extension (I-539); L-2 ends on the 21st birthday or on marriage. CSPA does not apply to nonimmigrant L-2 status.","adult_child_max_age_inclusive":null,"adult_child_conditions":"No dependency, study or disability extension for children aged 21 or over; a child who turns 21 or marries loses derivative status and must obtain another status or depart.","step_adopted":"INA 101(b)(1): stepchild qualifies if the marriage creating the step-relationship occurred before the child turned 18; adopted child qualifies if adopted before age 16 and in the adopting parent's legal custody and residing with them for at least 2 years (or the abuse exception); legitimated and born-out-of-wedlock children qualify on the stated conditions. (INA 101(b)(1) definition; its application to nonimmigrant dependants applied by analogy, see gaps)","disabled_child_any_age":false,"age_bands_for_fees":[]},"parents":{"eligible":false,"conditions":"Not dependants: USCIS limits derivatives to spouse and unmarried children under 21."},"grandparents":{"eligible":false},"siblings":{"eligible":false},"other":{"eligible":false}},"timing":{"together_with_main_applicant":true,"add_later":true,"add_later_conditions":"USCIS: spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany or follow the L-1 worker. Abroad: each applies for an L-2 visa at a consulate (DS-160). In the US: family seeking a change to or extension of L-2 status may apply together on one Form I-539 with fee.","add_later_deadline":"None stated. L-2 dependants generally receive the same period of stay as the L-1 worker: maximum initial stay 1 year (new office) or 3 years (other), extensions up to 2 years each, to the L-1A maximum of 7 years.","after_approval_births_marriages":null,"age_out_during_processing":"No age-lock: L-2 is nonimmigrant status, so a child who turns 21 during an extension or before admission no longer qualifies. If the family later immigrates via EB-1C or another immigrant category, CSPA applies to that immigrant petition (see usa-eb1a / usa-eb2-niw records for the method)."},"costs":{"currency":"USD","contribution_includes_family":"No investment threshold. The employer's single I-129 L petition covers the principal only; each dependant needs their own L-2 visa (abroad) or I-539 (in the US).","per_category":{"spouse":null,"child_under_18":null,"child_18_plus":null,"parent":null},"government_fees":[{"item":"Form I-129 L petition (principal only)","amount":1385,"currency":"USD","applies_to":"petitioning employer; online $1,335; small employer or nonprofit $695; plus additional fees (Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee $500, Asylum Program Fee $600 / $300 small employer / $0 nonprofit) per KB from G-1055"},{"item":"Form I-539 change/extension to L-2 status (in the US)","amount":470,"currency":"USD","applies_to":"general filing; online $420. USCIS lets the family file together on one I-539 'with fee'; whether each co-applicant pays a separate fee not confirmed (see gaps)"},{"item":"Nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV, DS-160), L category","amount":205,"currency":"USD","applies_to":"each visa applicant incl. spouse and each child (22 CFR 22.1 item 21(b), H/L/O/P/Q/R $205, per KB verification 2026-10-12); nationality-based reciprocity/issuance fee may apply"},{"item":"Form I-765 EAD for L-2S spouse (optional)","amount":null,"currency":"USD","applies_to":"optional: spouse is employment authorised incident to status and need not file; fee category for an L-2 spouse I-765 not read on G-1055 Appendix C"}],"due_diligence_per_adult":null,"notes":"Fees from Form G-1055 Edition 10/07/26 (re-read 2026-10-13). Consular MRV fee from 22 CFR 22.1 as recorded in the KB (verified 2026-10-12; eCFR and travel.state.gov blocked automated reads on 2026-10-13). Attorney fees separate."},"dependants_status":{"residence_obligation":"Nonimmigrant status tied to the L-1 worker's status and period of stay.","work_rights":"Spouse: employment authorised incident to L-2S status (USCIS). Children: the USCIS L-1A page does not address children's work or study; no incident-to-status work authorisation is stated for L-2 children.","independent_after":"Child at 21 or on marriage; spouse only by obtaining own status.","citizenship_path":"none (nonimmigrant); family can become derivatives if the principal later obtains a green card (e.g. EB-1C)","if_principal_divorces_or_dies":null},"verification":"single-authority verified","confidence":{"authority":0.85,"freshness":0.9,"textual_clarity":0.85},"evidence":[{"field":"relatives.children.max_age_inclusive","basis":"USCIS: 'accompanied or followed by their spouse and unmarried children' under 21 years of age (L-2)","source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager","source_tier":"B_official_guidance","verified_date":"2026-10-13"},{"field":"relatives.spouse.conditions / dependants_status.work_rights","basis":"USCIS: 'Spouses of L-1 workers in valid L-2S nonimmigrant status are considered employment authorized incident to status'","source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager","source_tier":"B_official_guidance","verified_date":"2026-10-13"},{"field":"timing","basis":"USCIS: same period of stay as the employee; I-539 'with fee' for family in the US; 1-year new office / 3-year initial / 2-year extensions / 7-year maximum","source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager","source_tier":"B_official_guidance","verified_date":"2026-10-13"},{"field":"relatives.spouse.same_sex","basis":"Policy Manual Vol 6 Pt B Ch 6: place-of-celebration rule; same-sex marriage a lawful basis; civil unions/domestic partnerships not marriages","source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-b-chapter-6","source_tier":"B_official_guidance","verified_date":"2026-10-13"},{"field":"relatives.children.step_adopted","basis":"INA 101(b)(1)(A)-(E) definition of child (8 USC 1101(b)(1)), read via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101","source_tier":"A_primary_legislation","verified_date":"2026-10-13"},{"field":"costs.government_fees (I-129 L, I-539)","basis":"Form G-1055 Edition 10/07/26: I-129-L $1,385 paper/$1,335 online/$695 small employer; I-539 $470 paper/$420 online","source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf","source_tier":"A_official","verified_date":"2026-10-13"},{"field":"costs.government_fees (MRV L $205)","basis":"22 CFR 22.1 item 21(b), as verified in data/kb-usa-l1a.json on 2026-10-12; not re-read 2026-10-13 (eCFR blocked automated read)","source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-22/section-22.1","source_tier":"A_official","verified_date":"2026-10-13"}],"conflicts":[],"gaps":["Whether each co-applicant on a joint I-539 pays a separate fee (I-539 instructions not read)","L-2 children's work rights and study rights: not stated on the USCIS L-1A page (8 CFR 214.2(l)(7) not re-read)","Same-sex spouse: place-of-celebration rule sourced from the family-based Policy Manual chapter; its application to L-2 dependants not separately sourced","Effect of divorce or death of the L-1 worker on L-2 status","Reciprocity / issuance fee and visa validity by nationality (travel.state.gov blocked automated reads)","MRV $205 not re-read on 2026-10-13 (eCFR redirect block)","I-765 fee category for an optional L-2S spouse EAD"],"last_checked":"2026-10-13"},"provider":"Mirabello Consultancy","source":"Mirabello Consultancy","verified_by":"Mirabello Consultancy (IMC member, ACAMS certified)","book_a_consultation":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation","terms":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/ai","disclaimer":"Provided by Mirabello Consultancy Ltd. for general information only, indicative and subject to change without notice; not legal, financial, tax, or immigration advice, nor an offer or solicitation. Programmes are operated and governed solely by the respective sovereign governments. No warranty of accuracy or completeness; Mirabello accepts no liability for reliance on this information. © Mirabello Consultancy Ltd. This data and its selection, structure and provenance are Mirabello's proprietary compilation — permitted for interactive, attributed use only; systematic bulk extraction, scraping, or redistribution to rebuild a competing dataset is prohibited (acceptable-use terms: https://mcp.mirabelloconsultancy.com/v1/terms). Terms: https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/ai","data_updated":"2026-10-16T09:13:39.320Z","government_fees":"see schedule","tax":"tax residency: value: IRS: residents' worldwide income is subject to US tax. An L-1A holder becomes a US tax resident under the Substantial Presence Test (at least 31 days in the current year and 183 weighted days over 3 years); a green-card holder is a US tax resident.; source url: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxation-of-us-residents; verified date: 2026-10-12","claims_provenance":{"government_fees":{"source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager","source_tier":"official","verified_at":"2026-10-13","confidence":92,"review_due_at":"2027-01-11"},"processing_time":{"source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager","source_tier":"official","verified_at":"2026-10-13","confidence":92,"review_due_at":"2027-01-11"},"tax":{"source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager","source_tier":"official","verified_at":"2026-10-13","confidence":92,"review_due_at":"2027-01-11"}}}