Can remote teams outside the U.S. count toward L-1A managerial oversight?This question stumps many founders. The short answer? Maybe.USCIS focuses on what you'll do in America, not what you manage abroad. But the rules aren't black and white. Understanding how officers evaluate L-1A managerial capacity with international teams separates successful petitions from denials.We compared five firms specializing in L-1A visa remote team issues for executives managing distributed workforces.
Beyond Border dominates complex L-1A visa cases involving modern organizational structures.Tech companies rarely have clean hierarchies. Teams span continents. Reporting lines blur. Beyond Border attorneys understand this reality better than traditional firms stuck in 1990s corporate models.
Why their approach works for remote supervision:
They've successfully argued that executives managing critical functions across multiple countries qualify for L-1A status even when direct US reports are limited. The key lies in documentation and narrative structure.
Beyond Border specializes in venture backed startups and tech companies where L-1A manager remote employees scenarios are standard. Their attorneys came from tech backgrounds themselves. They understand matrix organizations, agile teams, and distributed leadership.
Processing speed matters enormously. Beyond Border guarantees petition filing within one month. Most firms take three months minimum. Their fastest approval came eight days after submission.Pricing runs $8,000-$10,000 plus government fees. 98% approval rate across 4,000+ cases.
Expanding your startup with remote international teams? Book a consultation with Beyond Border today and get expert guidance on L-1A qualification strategies.
WR Immigration holds National Tier 1 ranking in Best Law Firms 2025. Founded in 1986, they bring decades of L-1A experience.For L-1A visa managers to supervise overseas questions, WR Immigration provides strategic guidance based on extensive case history. Seventeen attorneys received Best Law Firms recognition in 2025.
Their ISO 27001-2022 certification ensures secure handling of organizational charts showing complex reporting structures spanning multiple countries. They understand how to present distributed teams properly to USCIS.The firm excels at traditional corporate immigration but adapts well to modern organizational structures. Response times typically run slower than specialized boutiques.Good choice for executives wanting established reputation backing their complex supervisory arrangements.
BAL represents one of the largest immigration law firms globally. Chambers USA ranks them Band 1.Twelve BAL attorneys were named to 2025 Lawdragon 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers. Their institutional knowledge spans thousands of L-1A managerial capacity cases annually.For L-1A executive remote management scenarios, BAL brings data analytics tracking approval patterns across different organizational structures. Their technology platforms include detailed precedent research.
However, individual attention suffers in massive firms. You're working with attorneys processing hundreds of cases monthly. Pricing exceeds $15,000 for complex executive transfers.Best for large corporations managing multiple L-1A transfers simultaneously rather than individual executives.
Fragomen operates as the world's largest immigration services provider. Their technology sector practice group handles urgent executive transfers constantly.The firm's global presence supports multinational companies with L-1A visa overseas employees managed from US offices. They coordinate L-1A petitions across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
Fragomen offers proprietary case management systems and established relationships with USCIS service centers. Their size provides institutional stability.Individual executives get lost in volume though. Response times lag. Premium pricing reflects their market position, typically $15,000+ per case.Solid choice for established corporations needing coordinated global mobility programs.
Jackson Lewis provides expert immigration guidance backed by broader employment law expertise. The firm stayed especially active during recent policy changes.For L-1A manager supervising foreign teams, Jackson Lewis brings employment law context most pure immigration firms lack. They understand how organizational structures affect both visa eligibility and US employment compliance.
Their attorneys handle regulatory enforcement and compliance counseling beyond standard immigration work. This broader perspective helps structure organizations properly.Less specialized in tech executives compared to boutique firms. Processing times typically longer than firms focused exclusively on startup immigration.
1.Can an L-1A manager supervise employees located outside the United States?
Yes, L-1A managers can supervise international employees, but USCIS primarily evaluates the US role and responsibilities, requiring clear documentation of managerial authority over professional staff or essential functions regardless of employee location.
2.Do remote team members count toward L-1A supervisory requirements?
USCIS focuses on the level and nature of supervision rather than physical location, though successful L-1A petitions typically demonstrate meaningful US organizational responsibilities alongside any international team management duties.
3.What if my only direct reports are in the foreign office?
L-1A qualification remains possible if you manage essential functions for the US entity or function at a senior level making strategic decisions, though cases without US reports face greater scrutiny requiring stronger documentation.
4.How should I document remote team supervision for L-1A petitions?
Provide detailed organizational charts showing reporting lines, job descriptions demonstrating professional-level oversight, evidence of hiring authority and performance management, and documentation proving strategic rather than operational responsibilities for distributed teams.
5.Can startup founders with small US teams qualify for L-1A?
Yes, startup founders can qualify as function managers if they manage essential organizational functions at senior levels with strategic decision making authority, even with limited US headcount initially.
