To qualify for an L1A visa, you must have worked full-time for a qualifying foreign company in a managerial or executive role for at least one continuous year within the past three years and must be applying for a managerial or executive position with a related U.S. company.

All other qualified employees will be allowed a maximum initial stay of three years. For all L-1A employees, requests for extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to an additional two years, until the employee has reached the maximum limit of seven years.

So, is it difficult to get an L1A visa? For large multinational companies, it is generally more straightforward, given that they naturally meet the visa requirements. Smaller companies face a more challenging path due to the rigorous standards applied to their financial standing, staffing plans, and job descriptions.

5 to 7 years.

Recapturing Time Spent Outside of the US. As an L1 visa beneficiary, you are given a maximum period of 5 to 7 years depending if you are on L1A or L1B visa.

While it may be a bit complicated, it is possible to transition from an L1 visa to a green card by applying for permanent residence status first. Once your permanent residence status has been obtained, you may then apply for a green card.

The regulations and agency guidance grant H1B, L1A, and L1B visa-holders ample flexibility to take short trips abroad with adjustment of status pending.