Chapter 06 · Topic 06.3 · Work
L-1 visa (intracompany transferee) for Canadians
L-1 transfers an employee from a foreign subsidiary to a US office. L-1A managers (max 7 years), L-1B specialized knowledge (max 5 years). Canadians visa-exempt at POE with Form I-129S. No cap.
Direct answer · 60-second summary
The 60-second version
The L-1 visa allows a multinational company to transfer an employee from a foreign affiliate to an affiliated US office. Two sub-categories: L-1A (managers/executives) and L-1B (specialized knowledge). Canadian specificity: Canadian-citizens are visa-exempt for L and present their dossier directly to CBP at a designated POE with Form I-129S (and I-129 if no blanket). No cap, no lottery. Initial duration 3 years (or 1 year for new office), extendable up to 7 years (L-1A) or 5 years (L-1B).
- L-1A: managers/executives (max 7 years).
- L-1B: specialized knowledge (max 5 years).
- 1 year continuous employment abroad in last 3 years required.
- Canadians visa-exempt at POE.
- L-2 spouse/children; spouse can work with EAD.
Acronyms used in this guide
- USCIS — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- CBP — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- POE — Port of Entry
- I-94 — Arrival/Departure record kept by CBP for nonimmigrants
- I-129 — Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
- I-129S — Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition
- EAD — Employment Authorization Document
- PR — Permanent Resident (green card holder)
- LPR — Lawful Permanent Resident
- TN — Treaty NAFTA / USMCA Professional
- EB-1 — Employment-Based 1st preference
- EB-2 — Employment-Based 2nd preference
- EB-3 — Employment-Based 3rd preference
- PERM — Program Electronic Review Management (DOL labor certification)
- DOL — U.S. Department of Labor
- L-1A — Intracompany Transferee Manager/Executive
- L-1B — Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge
Who can use L-1
Cumulative employee conditions
- Have worked ≥ 1 continuous year (in last 3) for the parent/subsidiary/affiliate abroad.
- Work in an L-1A (manager/executive) or L-1B (specialized knowledge) role both abroad and in the US.
Cumulative entity conditions
- US parent and foreign subsidiary have a qualifying relationship: parent-subsidiary, branch, affiliate, joint venture (per USCIS definitions).
- Both entities are operational throughout the L-1.
L-1A vs L-1B: differences
| Criterion | L-1A (manager/executive) | L-1B (specialized knowledge) |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Manage/direct an organization, function, department, or subdivision | Specialized knowledge of employer's product, service, research, equipment, techniques |
| Maximum duration | 7 years (3 + extensions of 2) | 5 years (3 + 2 extension) |
| Green card path | EB-1C (multinational managers) — direct, no PERM | EB-2 or EB-3 — with PERM |
| Prevailing wage | Not required (but reasonable expected) | Not required |
| USCIS criteria | Volume 2 Part L, Chapter 3 | Volume 2 Part L, Chapter 4 |
Canadian special procedure: I-129S at POE
For Canadian-citizen, two scenarios:
With blanket L petition (large multinationals)
The employer already has a blanket L petition approved by USCIS. The Canadian presents Form I-129S + support letter + evidence at CBP POE. Same-day decision.
Without blanket (individual case)
The employer files Form I-129 with USCIS first. Once approved, the Canadian travels with the I-797 (notice of approval) and crosses the POE for L-1 admission.
Documents in both scenarios:
- Valid Canadian passport.
- I-129S (and I-129 + I-797 if no blanket).
- Employer support letter explaining role, entity relationship, employee history.
- Evidence: org chart, contracts, foreign paystubs, US contract, etc.
- Fees: $56 I-94 at POE + USCIS fees if filed separately (variable, see Form I-129 instructions).
Duration and extensions
- L-1A initial: 3 years (or 1 year for new office L-1A, extendable after proof of operations).
- L-1A extensions: 2-year increments, max total 7 years.
- L-1B initial: 3 years.
- L-1B extension: one 2-year increment, max total 5 years.
- Recapture: days outside US can be recovered (with travel evidence).
- Beyond max: 1 year abroad required before re-applying.
L-2: spouse and children
The spouse and unmarried children < 21 get L-2 status.
- L-2S (spouse): since November 2021, work authorization incident to status (based on I-94 marked "L-2S"). No need to apply for separate EAD in many cases.
- L-2 children: can study; no work rights.
For Canadians, present passports + certificates at POE alongside the principal.
TN vs L-1 for Canadians
Both are available for Canadians. Choose by profile:
| Criterion | TN | L-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Closed list | Yes (~60 professions) | No (manager/executive/specialized knowledge) |
| Employer link | Any US employer offering a TN role | Parent/subsidiary having employed ≥ 1 year abroad |
| Max duration | 3 years indefinitely renewable | 5 years (L-1B) or 7 years (L-1A) |
| Spouse work | No (TD) | Yes (L-2S) |
| Green card path | Indirect (need status change) | EB-1C direct (L-1A) or EB-2/3 (L-1B) |
L-1A is often preferred when the end goal is EB-1C green card (no PERM required).
Formulaires officiels mentionnés (liens directs)
Liens vers la dernière version connue de chaque formulaire à la date de dernière révision. Vérifier que vous utilisez la version courante avant tout dépôt — c'est votre responsabilité. CanadaFlorida.com n'est pas responsable de l'usage que vous faites de ces liens.
- Form I-129 — Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. https://www.uscis.gov/i-129
- Form I-129S — Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition. https://www.uscis.gov/i-129s
- USCIS — L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager. https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager
- USCIS — L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge. https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1b-intracompany-transferee-specialized-knowledge
- USCIS Policy Manual Volume 2 Part L. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-l
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Sources and references
Public sources verified as of the last review date.
- USCIS — L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager. uscis.gov/l-1a
- USCIS — L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge. uscis.gov/l-1b
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part L. uscis.gov/policy/l-visas
- USCIS Policy Memo — L-1 One-Year Foreign Employment Requirement. uscis.gov/l-1-one-year
- INA §101(a)(15)(L). cornell.edu/§1101(L)
Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.
For any concrete decision, consult a licensed US immigration attorney and a cross-border tax attorney.