<div class="vt" data-vt-cat="work-visas" data-vt-code="L-1A"> <div class="vt-crumbs"><nav class="vt-wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a><span>›</span><a href="/work-visas">Work & business</a><span>›</span><span>L-1A</span></nav></div> <section class="vt-dhead"><div class="vt-wrap"> <div class="vt-badges"><span>Nonimmigrant</span><span>Employment-based</span><span>Dual intent</span><span>No annual cap</span><span>Form I-129</span></div> <h1><span>L-1A</span> Intracompany Transferee — Executive or Manager</h1> <p class="vt-lede">For managers and executives of a multinational company who are transferring to its U.S. parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate, or who are opening a new U.S. office.</p> <div class="vt-dmeta"><span>Last reviewed <strong>Oct 1, 2026</strong></span><span>Sources: USCIS · eCFR · Federal Register</span><a href="/corrections?page=/visa/l-1a">Report an error</a></div> </div></section> <section class="vt-dbody"> <nav class="vt-jump" aria-label="On this page"><a href="#overview">Overview</a><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a><a href="#duration">Duration</a><a href="#fees">Fees</a><a href="#processing">Processing</a><a href="#steps">Steps</a><a href="#documents">Documents</a><a href="#dependents">Dependents</a><a href="#greencard">Green card</a><a href="#related">Related</a><a href="#faq">FAQ</a><a href="#sources">Sources</a><a href="#changes">Changes</a></nav> <nav class="vt-toc" aria-label="On this page"><div class="h">On this page</div><ul><li><a href="#overview">Overview</a></li><li><a href="#qualify">Who qualifies</a></li><li><a href="#duration">Duration & extensions</a></li><li><a href="#fees">Fees</a></li><li><a href="#processing">Processing time</a></li><li><a href="#steps">Application steps</a></li><li><a href="#documents">Required documents</a></li><li><a href="#dependents">Dependents & family</a></li><li><a href="#greencard">Path to a green card</a></li><li><a href="#related">Related visas</a></li><li><a href="#faq">Common questions</a></li><li><a href="#sources">Official sources</a></li><li><a href="#changes">Recent changes</a></li></ul></nav> <article class="vt-art"> <div class="vt-glance"><h2>At a glance</h2><dl><div><dt>Initial period of stay</dt><dd>Up to 3 years (1 year for a new office)</dd></div><div><dt>Extensions</dt><dd>Up to 2 years at a time</dd></div><div><dt>Maximum stay</dt><dd>7 years</dd></div><div><dt>Prior employment abroad</dt><dd>1 continuous year within the last 3</dd></div><div><dt>Annual cap</dt><dd>None</dd></div><div><dt>USCIS filing fee</dt><dd>$1,385 ($695 small employer or nonprofit)</dd></div></dl></div> <div class="vt-callout"><strong>New fee rule for extensions.</strong> Since <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/10/2026-16231/9-11-response-and-biometric-entry-exit-fee-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sept. 9, 2026</a>, employers with 50 or more U.S. employees, more than half of them in H-1B or L status, must pay the $4,500 9-11 Biometric Fee on every L-1 extension petition, not just initial petitions. Petitions filed on or after Nov. 9, 2026 must use the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-129" target="_blank" rel="noopener">09/09/26 edition of Form I-129</a>.</div> <h2 id="overview" class="s">Overview</h2> <p class="b">The L-1A classification lets a company with operations abroad transfer an executive or manager to a related U.S. company: its parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate. The employee must have worked for the related company abroad for one continuous year within the three years before admission, and must come to fill an executive or managerial role.</p> <p class="b">Most L-1A workers come through an individual petition (Form I-129) filed by the U.S. employer. Large multinationals with an approved <strong>blanket L petition</strong> can skip the individual USCIS petition and have the employee apply for a visa at a consulate with Form I-129S. L-1A also covers executives or managers sent to <strong>open a new U.S. office</strong>, with a shorter first approval.</p> <p class="b">L-1 is a dual-intent classification. Under the regulations, an L-1 worker may seek permanent residence, for example through an EB-1C multinational manager petition, without that being a reason to deny the L-1 petition, extension or admission (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-214/section-214.2#p-214.2(l)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8 CFR 214.2(l)(16)</a>).</p> <h2 id="qualify" class="s">Who qualifies</h2> <h3 class="s">The employer must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company: parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.</li><li>Be doing business, meaning the regular, systematic and continuous provision of goods or services, both in the U.S. and in at least one other country (directly or through a qualifying organization) for the whole L-1 stay.</li><li>Not be a sole proprietorship petitioning for its own owner, because a sole proprietorship is not a legal entity separate from its owner (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS Policy Manual</a>).</li></ul> <h3 class="s">The employee must</h3> <ul class="b"><li>Have worked for the qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years immediately before admission (or before filing, for a new office).</li><li>Be coming to work in an executive capacity (directing the organization or a major part of it, with wide discretion) or a managerial capacity (managing the organization, a department or an essential function, including supervising professional staff).</li></ul> <h3 class="s">For a new U.S. office, the employer must also show</h3> <ul class="b"><li>It has secured enough physical premises to house the new office.</li><li>The employee was an executive or manager abroad for one continuous year in the three years before filing.</li><li>The U.S. operation will support an executive or managerial position within one year of approval, based on its planned size, financing and structure.</li></ul> <h2 id="duration" class="s">Duration & extensions</h2> <table class="vt-kv"><tbody><tr><th scope="row">Initial period</th><td>Up to <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-214/section-214.2#p-214.2(l)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 years</a>; up to 1 year for an employee coming to open or work in a new office.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Extensions</th><td>In increments of up to 2 years.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Maximum total</th><td><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-214/section-214.2#p-214.2(l)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 years</a> in L-1A (time in H status also counts). After that, the worker must spend one year physically outside the U.S. before returning in H or L status.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">If promoted from L-1B</th><td>The 7-year limit applies only after at least 6 months in the approved managerial or executive role.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Grace periods</th><td>Up to 10 days before and after the petition validity period, plus one grace period of up to 60 days if employment ends early (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-214/section-214.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">8 CFR 214.1(l)</a>).</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Exception</th><td>The limit does not apply to seasonal or intermittent work, work totaling 6 months or less a year, or part-time commuters who live abroad.</td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="fees" class="s">Fees</h2> <p class="vt-feesintro">The U.S. employer pays the USCIS petition fees. Visa fees are paid by each applicant at the consulate. Amounts below are from the USCIS fee schedule (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26</a>) and the <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department fee schedule</a>.</p> <div class="vt-scroll"><table class="vt-fees"><thead><tr><th>Fee</th><th class="amt">Amount</th><th>Who pays</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>Form I-129 filing fee (L petition)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1,385</a></td><td>Employer</td><td>$695 for small employers (25 or fewer full-time-equivalent U.S. employees) and nonprofits. The same fee applies to blanket L petitions.</td></tr> <tr><td>Asylum Program Fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$600</a></td><td>Petitioner</td><td>$300 for small employers (25 or fewer full-time-equivalent U.S. employees); $0 for nonprofits.</td></tr> <tr><td>Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$500</a></td><td>Employer</td><td>Due on an initial L petition or a change of employer. Under a blanket petition, it is paid at the consulate with Form I-129S (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">22 CFR 22.1, item 25</a>). Cannot be waived.</td></tr> <tr><td>9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee (Pub. L. 114-113)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$4,500</a></td><td>Employer</td><td>Only for employers with 50 or more U.S. employees, more than half of them in H-1B or L status. It now applies to extensions as well (<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/10/2026-16231/9-11-response-and-biometric-entry-exit-fee-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rule effective Sept. 9, 2026</a>). Applies through Sept. 30, 2027. For blanket L visa applicants, the consulate collects it from the principal applicant (<a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State Department fee page</a>).</td></tr> <tr><td>Premium processing (Form I-907, optional)</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$2,965</a></td><td>Petitioner</td><td>Optional. USCIS acts within 15 business days. The fee has applied since <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00321/adjustment-to-premium-processing-fees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March 1, 2026</a>.</td></tr> <tr><td>Visa application (MRV) fee</td><td class="amt"><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$205</a></td><td>Applicant</td><td>Per person, for H, L, O, P, Q and R visas, including each L-2 family member applying abroad. Not needed for visa-exempt Canadians.</td></tr> <tr><td>Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee</td><td class="amt">Varies</td><td>Applicant</td><td>Charged only to some nationalities, based on reciprocity; many pay nothing.</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <p class="vt-foot">Family members already in the U.S. who extend or change to L-2 status file Form I-539 ($470 on paper, $420 online). The Visa Integrity Fee (at least $250) created by Public Law 119-21 is not listed in the State Department fee regulation or on its <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visa fees page</a> as of Oct. 1, 2026; DHS said on <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/22/2025-13738/uscis-immigration-fees-required-by-hr-1-reconciliation-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">July 22, 2025</a> that it “will be implemented in a future publication.”</p> <h2 id="processing" class="s">Processing time</h2> <dl class="vt-cards"><div><dt>Premium processing</dt><dd>15 business days</dd><dd class="n">Optional, for an extra <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$2,965</a>. Available for individual and blanket L filings. The clock restarts if USCIS issues a request for evidence.</dd></div><div><dt>Standard processing</dt><dd>Varies</dd><dd class="n">Check current <a href="https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS processing times</a> for Form I-129 at the relevant service center.</dd></div><div><dt>Blanket L visa</dt><dd>Decided at the consulate</dd><dd class="n">Under an approved blanket petition, the consular officer reviews Form I-129S directly, with no separate USCIS petition for the employee.</dd></div></dl> <p class="b">L petitions are not capped, so they can be filed at any time of year. After approval, applicants outside the U.S. need a visa appointment; wait times vary by embassy. Visa-exempt Canadian citizens may present an L petition at certain land ports of entry and pre-flight inspection stations.</p> <h2 id="steps" class="s">Application steps</h2> <ol class="vt-steps"><li><span class="num">1</span><div><div class="tt">Confirm the corporate relationship</div><div class="tx">The employer documents ownership and control linking the U.S. and foreign entities, and the employee’s qualifying year abroad.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">2</span><div><div class="tt">File Form I-129 (or use the blanket petition)</div><div class="tx">The U.S. employer files Form I-129 with the L Classification Supplement and fees. Under an approved blanket petition, it instead completes Form I-129S for the employee.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">3</span><div><div class="tt">Optional: request premium processing</div><div class="tx">File Form I-907 with the petition, or later, for a decision within 15 business days.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">4</span><div><div class="tt">Apply for the visa</div><div class="tx">After approval, the employee (and any L-2 family members) completes Form DS-160 online, pays the visa fee and attends a consular interview. Blanket L applicants bring Form I-129S and the blanket approval notice and pay the $500 fraud fee at the consulate.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">5</span><div><div class="tt">Enter the United States</div><div class="tx">CBP admits the worker for up to the petition validity, plus up to 10 days before and after. Check the I-94 record after entry.</div></div></li><li><span class="num">6</span><div><div class="tt">Extend in time</div><div class="tx">Before the current approval expires, the employer files an extension on Form I-129. Covered employers include the $4,500 9-11 fee.</div></div></li></ol> <h2 id="documents" class="s">Required documents</h2> <div class="vt-docs"><div><h3>From the employer</h3><ul><li><span>Evidence of the qualifying relationship, such as ownership records, annual reports or articles of incorporation.</span></li><li><span>Evidence that both entities are doing business, such as financial statements, invoices and tax returns.</span></li><li><span>A letter describing the U.S. executive or managerial role and the employee’s duties abroad, with organizational charts.</span></li><li><span>For a new office: the lease or deed for the premises, a business plan, and evidence of financing and of the size of the investment.</span></li></ul></div><div><h3>From the employee</h3><ul><li><span>Valid passport and a confirmation page for Form DS-160.</span></li><li><span>Evidence of one continuous year of qualifying employment abroad, such as pay records and an employer letter.</span></li><li><span>Copy of the Form I-797 approval notice, or Form I-129S plus the blanket approval for blanket L.</span></li></ul></div></div> <h2 id="dependents" class="s">Dependents & family</h2> <p class="b">The spouse and unmarried children under 21 may receive <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">L-2 status</a> and stay for the same period as the L-1 worker.</p> <p class="b"><strong>Spouses can work.</strong> Since <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20211112-EmploymentAuthorization.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nov. 12, 2021</a>, USCIS treats L-2 spouses as employment-authorized incident to status. Since Jan. 30, 2022, USCIS and CBP have issued spouses a Form I-94 with the class of admission <strong>L-2S</strong>. An unexpired L-2S I-94 is an acceptable <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/70-evidence-of-employment-authorization-for-certain-categories/79-other-temporary-workers/792-l-nonimmigrant-status" target="_blank" rel="noopener">List C document for Form I-9</a>. Spouses with an older I-94 marked “L-2” can show it together with the USCIS notice that identifies them as an employment-authorized spouse. An EAD is optional (<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-10-part-b-chapter-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Form I-765</a>, $520 on paper or $470 online).</p> <p class="b">Children in L-2 status are not employment-authorized incident to status; only spouses receive the L-2S designation.</p> <h2 id="greencard" class="s">Path to a green card</h2> <p class="b">Because L-1 is dual intent, an L-1A worker can pursue a green card while keeping L-1 status. The most direct route for executives and managers is <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-first-preference-eb-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EB-1C (multinational manager or executive)</a>, which needs no labor certification.</p> <div class="vt-gsteps"><div><div class="k">Step 1</div><div class="tt">EB-1C petition</div><div class="tx">The U.S. employer files Form I-140. The worker must have been employed abroad by a related entity for at least 1 year in the 3 years before the petition (or before the most recent nonimmigrant admission), and the U.S. employer must have been doing business for at least 1 year.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 2</div><div class="tt">Wait for a visa number</div><div class="tx">Priority dates for EB-1 can be current or backlogged depending on country of birth; check the State Department Visa Bulletin.</div></div><div><div class="k">Step 3</div><div class="tt">Adjust status or process abroad</div><div class="tx">File Form I-485 in the U.S. when a visa number is available, or complete immigrant visa processing at a consulate.</div></div></div> <p class="b">Other paths, such as EB-2 or EB-3 through PERM labor certification, are also possible. The I-140 filing fee is $715 on paper or $665 online, plus the Asylum Program Fee ($600, $300 for small employers, $0 for nonprofits), per the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCIS fee schedule</a>.</p> <h2 id="related" class="s">Related visas</h2> <div class="vt-rel"><a href="/visa/l-1b"><div class="c">L-1B</div><div class="n">Intracompany transferee — specialized knowledge</div><div class="tx">Same company-transfer route for employees with specialized knowledge; up to 5 years.</div></a><a href="/visa/e-2"><div class="c">E-2</div><div class="n">Treaty investor</div><div class="tx">For nationals of treaty countries investing in and directing a U.S. business.</div></a><a href="/visa/h-1b"><div class="c">H-1B</div><div class="n">Specialty occupation</div><div class="tx">Degree-level roles; subject to the annual cap and lottery for most employers.</div></a><a href="/visa/eb-1"><div class="c">EB-1</div><div class="n">Priority workers</div><div class="tx">Green card category that includes EB-1C multinational managers and executives.</div></a><a href="/visa/o-1a"><div class="c">O-1A</div><div class="n">Extraordinary ability</div><div class="tx">For individuals with sustained national or international acclaim.</div></a></div> <h2 id="faq" class="s">Common questions</h2> <div class="vt-faq"><details><summary>Can an L-2 spouse work without an EAD?</summary><p>Yes. Since Nov. 12, 2021, USCIS treats L-2 spouses as employment-authorized incident to status. An unexpired Form I-94 showing L-2S is acceptable evidence for Form I-9. Children in L-2 status cannot work.</p></details><details><summary>What is a blanket L petition?</summary><p>It is a one-time approval for a large multinational and its listed affiliates. A company qualifies if it is engaged in commercial trade or services, has had a U.S. office doing business for at least a year, and has three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries or affiliates. It must also have either 10 or more L approvals in the past 12 months, U.S. affiliates with combined annual sales of at least $25 million, or a U.S. workforce of at least 1,000. Employees then apply at a consulate with Form I-129S.</p></details><details><summary>How long can someone stay in L-1A status?</summary><p>Up to 7 years in total. The first approval is up to 3 years (1 year for a new office), and extensions are granted up to 2 years at a time. After 7 years, the person must spend one year outside the U.S. before returning in H or L status.</p></details><details><summary>Can a Canadian citizen apply at the border?</summary><p>Yes. Under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(17), the employer’s L petition for a Canadian citizen can be filed with CBP at a Class A port of entry on the U.S.–Canada land border or at a U.S. pre-flight inspection station in Canada.</p></details><details><summary>Is the $4,500 fee paid on every petition?</summary><p>Only by covered employers, meaning those with 50 or more U.S. employees, more than half of them in H-1B or L status. From Sept. 9, 2026, those employers pay it on initial and extension petitions, but not on amended petitions that do not seek an extension.</p></details></div> <h2 id="sources" class="s">Official sources</h2> <ul class="vt-src"><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-214/section-214.2#p-214.2(l)" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>eCFR</strong> · 8 CFR 214.2(l) — Intracompany transferees</span><span>ecfr.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Form G-1055, Fee Schedule (edition 10/01/26)</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/10/2026-16231/9-11-response-and-biometric-entry-exit-fee-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>Federal Register</strong> · 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas (final rule, Aug. 10, 2026)</span><span>federalregister.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-10-part-b-chapter-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · Policy Manual Vol. 10, Part B, Ch. 2 — Employment Authorization for Certain H-4, E, and L Dependent Spouses</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/how-do-i-request-premium-processing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · How Do I Request Premium Processing?</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/part-22/section-22.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>eCFR</strong> · 22 CFR 22.1 — Schedule of fees for consular services</span><span>ecfr.gov ↗</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-129" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span><strong>USCIS</strong> · I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker</span><span>uscis.gov ↗</span></a></li></ul> <h2 id="changes" class="s">Recent changes</h2> <ul class="vt-chg"><li><span class="d">Sep 11, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Proposed rule: eliminate the 60-day grace period.</strong> DHS proposed removing 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2), the up-to-60-day grace period after employment ends for E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1 and TN workers and their dependents. This is a proposal only (comments close Nov. 10, 2026); the grace period remains in the regulation for now. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/11/2026-18631/eliminating-the-discretionary-60-day-grace-period" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Sep 9, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>New edition of Form I-129 (09/09/26).</strong> USCIS published a new Form I-129 edition. Petitions postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Nov. 9, 2026 must use the 09/09/26 edition; the 02/27/26 edition is accepted until then. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-129" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Aug 10, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>9-11 Biometric Fee extended to all L-1 extension petitions.</strong> Final rule, effective Sept. 9, 2026: covered employers (50 or more U.S. employees, more than half in H-1B or L-1 status) must pay the $4,500 fee on all L-1 extension petitions, not only initial petitions and changes of employer. Amended petitions that do not seek an extension are excluded. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/10/2026-16231/9-11-response-and-biometric-entry-exit-fee-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jan 12, 2026</span><div class="x"><strong>Premium processing fee rises to $2,965.</strong> Inflation adjustment: the Form I-907 fee for I-129 petitions in L, O and P (and most other) classifications increased from $2,805 to $2,965 for requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00321/adjustment-to-premium-processing-fees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Dec 16, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10998 expands entry restrictions.</strong> Effective Jan. 1, 2026, entry of nationals of additional countries was fully or partially suspended. Full suspensions cover nonimmigrant visas, including employment categories; partial suspensions cover B, F, M and J visas and shorten validity of other nonimmigrant visas. Limited exceptions apply. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23570/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jul 22, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Visa Integrity Fee: not yet implemented.</strong> Public Law 119-21 (July 4, 2025) created a Visa Integrity Fee of at least $250 payable when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. DHS stated the fee “requires cross-agency coordination before implementing” and “will be implemented in a future publication.” <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/22/2025-13738/uscis-immigration-fees-required-by-hr-1-reconciliation-bill" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jun 4, 2025</span><div class="x"><strong>Proclamation 10949 restricts entry from listed countries.</strong> Fully suspended entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants from 12 countries and partially suspended entry from 7 others, effective June 9, 2025. Later amended by Proclamation 10998. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/10/2025-10669/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Jan 31, 2024</span><div class="x"><strong>USCIS fee rule sets separate I-129 fees and Asylum Program Fee.</strong> Effective April 1, 2024, Form I-129 fees vary by classification, with reduced fees for small employers and nonprofits, plus a new Asylum Program Fee paid by I-129 petitioners. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/31/2024-01427/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule-and-changes-to-certain-other-immigration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li><li><span class="d">Oct 20, 2023</span><div class="x"><strong>Sole proprietorships cannot petition for their owners.</strong> USCIS Policy Manual update: a sole proprietorship may not file an L-1 petition for its owner, because it is not a legal entity separate from the owner. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source ↗</a></div></li></ul> <div class="vt-disc">This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? <a href="/corrections?page=/visa/l-1a">Tell us</a>.</div> </article></section></div> <script type="application/ld+json">[{"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://visatypes.com/"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Work & business", "item": "https://visatypes.com/work-visas"}, {"\u0040type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "L-1A", "item": "https://visatypes.com/visa/l-1a"}]}, {"\u0040context": "https://schema.org", "\u0040type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"\u0040type": "Question", "name": "Can an L-2 spouse work without an EAD?", "acceptedAnswer": {"\u0040type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. 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