Read the general business expansion overview
A brand may supply a launch manual, but L-1 examines the real companies and transferred employee. Identify what the U.S. operation has actually done and which resources support the proposed role.
Establish the relationship and operating stage
Commercial licensing alone does not establish a qualifying parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate. Trace actual ownership and control. A U.S. organization doing business for less than one year is a new office; incorporation age alone is not the test. The qualifying group must maintain regular, systematic and continuous business in the United States and at least one other country during the stay.
Choose the role before building the launch evidence
For a new-office L-1A case, the qualifying continuous full-time foreign year in the relevant preceding three years must specifically be managerial or executive. Show sufficient premises and an operation able to support the qualifying U.S. managerial or executive role within one year of approval. First-line supervision of nonprofessionals alone is insufficient. Owner or major-stockholder cases also need temporary U.S. service and a subsequent foreign assignment. A brand’s job title cannot establish these facts.
Keep a specialist launch distinct from the management case
L-1B requires the actual specialized-knowledge standard and, for a new office, sufficient premises and financial ability to pay the worker and begin business. The ordinary foreign-year rule permits managerial, executive or specialized-knowledge employment, with U.S. days excluded even where brief visits do not break continuity. Initial new-office approval is limited to one year. Training materials alone do not establish the individual’s knowledge or make a customer placement permissible.
What else is on your mind?
Does being a business owner or director qualify me for L-1A?What employment history should an L-1 transfer review cover?What makes a new-office L-1A case different?Why does an L-2 spouse’s admission record matter for work?Editorial source review: 2026-09-08. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.