Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Indian Mid-Sized Firms Turn to L-1A for US Expansion
Some Indian companies want to build offices and teams in the United States.
They are considering a visa called L-1A.
This visa can let a company move a manager or executive from India to a related US business.
It can also be used to open a company’s first US office.
The company must show that it has suitable space, enough money and a real plan for operating.
The first approval for a new office usually lasts one year.
Unlike some H-1B applications, L-1A visas do not use an annual lottery.
The visa can sometimes support a later green-card application, but it does not guarantee one.
Indian mid-sized and entrepreneur-led firms are considering L-1A visas to establish or expand US offices.
The visa allows qualifying companies to transfer executives or managers from overseas offices to related US entities.
New-office applicants generally receive an initial approval of up to one year and must show premises, funding and viable operations.
L-1A has no annual numerical cap or lottery, unlike cap-subject H-1B applications.
L-1A holders may later pursue EB-1C permanent residence, but approval is not automatic.
- Who
- Indian mid-sized and entrepreneur-led companies, along with executives and managers they may transfer.
- What
- These businesses are exploring L-1A visas to establish US offices and move senior personnel there.
- When
- The companies are considering the route as they plan their US expansion; a new-office approval is generally limited initially to one year.
- Where
- The planned expansion is in the United States, involving related Indian and US business entities.
- Why
- To build local teams, improve customer relationships, manage sales and service, and expand beyond exports or remote services.
- Visa category
- L-1A transfers executives or managers within a qualifying multinational organization.
- Eligible relationship
- The Indian and US entities must have a relationship such as parent-subsidiary, affiliate or branch.
- Employee requirement
- The transferred employee must have worked for the qualifying overseas organization for at least one continuous year within the previous three years.
- New-office approval
- Initial approval for a new US office is generally limited to one year.
- Maximum stay
- The maximum L-1A stay is seven years.
- H-1B comparison
- L-1A has no annual numerical cap or lottery, while cap-subject H-1B applications are subject to an annual numerical cap.
- Permanent residence
- L-1A may be relevant to EB-1C applications, but holding L-1A status does not automatically qualify someone for a green card.