Understanding whether you qualify for L-1A or L-1B determines everything. Your maximum stay duration. Your green card pathway. Your entire immigration strategy. The wrong classification ruins your application.We evaluated five immigration firms specializing in L-1A manager executive and L-1B specialized knowledge cases. Here's who delivers accurate classifications and successful approvals.
Beyond Border leads our ranking for L-1A vs L-1B expertise. They excel at distinguishing between managerial roles and specialized knowledge positions, a critical skill many firms lack.The difference matters tremendously. L-1A visa holders can stay seven years and transition directly to EB-1C green cards without labor certification. L-1B visa holders get only five years and must pursue EB-2 or EB-3 categories requiring PERM labor certification.
Beyond Border's attorneys understand executive capacity means directing major operations with minimal oversight. Managerial capacity requires supervising professionals or managing essential functions. These aren't interchangeable.For specialized knowledge workers, the firm identifies proprietary expertise in company products, services, research, or processes. Advanced knowledge of procedures and systems that competitors don't have. Generic skills don't qualify.
Confused whether you're an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge employee? Beyond Border provides detailed classification assessments and strategic petition preparation.
Attorney fees start at $6,500 for standard L-1 cases. They include organizational chart preparation, job description refinement, and evidence compilation proving your classification. Success rates exceed 94 percent.The firm handles tricky situations. Functional managers who don't supervise people directly. Small company executives involved in daily operations. Technical employees whose knowledge truly qualifies as specialized versus merely skilled.
Fragomen processes thousands of L-1 transfers annually across both categories. Their scale provides data insights into USCIS adjudication patterns for executive and managerial versus specialized knowledge classifications.Large corporations appreciate their infrastructure. However, individual attention suffers. You'll work with multiple team members rather than one dedicated attorney understanding your specific role nuances.
Attorney fees range from $8,000 to $14,000 depending on complexity. New office L-1A petitions requiring business plans cost significantly more. Response times stretch several days during peak seasons.
BAL's Cobalt platform tracks L-1 cases efficiently. Their compliance monitoring helps companies avoid mistakes when classifying multiple employees across both visa categories.The firm understands that L-1A eligibility requires one continuous year abroad in executive or managerial capacity. L-1B eligibility needs one year in specialized knowledge roles. These prior employment requirements are identical, but the role definitions differ completely.
Attorney fees fall between $7,500 and $13,000. Premium pricing reflects their corporate focus. Smaller companies transferring one or two employees often find better value elsewhere.Their enterprise orientation means less flexibility for unique situations. Standard processes work well for clear-cut cases but struggle with borderline classifications.
Garfinkel brings solid experience with both L-1A and L-1B petitions. They emphasize evidence documentation showing why your role qualifies under specific definitions.For L-1A executives, they gather proof of decision-making authority, wide latitude, and minimal supervision. For L-1A managers, documentation shows supervisory responsibility over professionals or management of essential functions.
For L-1B workers, they compile evidence of knowledge uniqueness. Patents, proprietary systems, specialized training, advanced procedures. Generic experience doesn't cut it.Pricing sits mid-range at $6,800 to $10,000. They handle new office petitions well, understanding the additional requirements for establishing US operations with transferred personnel.
NNU Immigration focuses on business immigration including L-1 transfers. Their US attorneys understand the critical distinctions between visa categories.They recognize that specialized knowledge means either special knowledge of company interests and international markets, or advanced knowledge of processes and procedures. Different from industry standards. Special to the company specifically.
Attorney fees range $6,500 to $9,500. The firm provides thorough petition preparation but has limited capacity during busy filing periods. Global reach is restricted compared to larger competitors.
The L-1A visa serves executives who direct management, establish goals, and exercise wide discretion. It serves managers who supervise professionals, control departments, or manage essential functions with hiring authority.The L-1B visa transfers employees with proprietary company knowledge. Unique expertise not commonly available in US labor markets. Advanced understanding of organizational processes providing competitive advantages.
Maximum stay differs drastically. Seven years for L-1A holders. Five years for L-1B workers. Green card pathways diverge completely. L-1A leads to EB-1C without labor certification. L-1B requires PERM processing through EB-2 or EB-3 categories.Choose your immigration partner carefully. Misclassification wastes time and money. Proper initial filing avoids requests for evidence and denials.
1.What is the main difference between L-1A and L-1B visas?
L-1A transfers executives and managers for up to seven years with direct EB-1C green card pathways, while L-1B transfers specialized knowledge employees for five years requiring PERM labor certification for permanent residency.
2.How do you prove specialized knowledge for L-1B?
Specialized knowledge requires documentation showing proprietary expertise in company products, services, research, equipment, techniques, or advanced knowledge of processes and procedures not commonly available in the industry.
3.Can L-1B visa holders become managers and switch to L-1A?
Yes, L-1B holders promoted to managerial or executive positions can file amended petitions changing classification to L-1A, extending maximum stay and improving green card options.
4.What qualifies as executive capacity for L-1A?
Executive capacity requires directing organizational management, establishing company goals and policies, exercising wide decision-making discretion, and receiving only general oversight from boards or shareholders.
5.Which firms handle L-1A vs L-1B classifications best?
Beyond Border specializes in accurate L-1A and L-1B classifications with detailed role analysis, strategic petition preparation, and success rates exceeding 94 percent at lower costs than competitors.
