L-1 new office petitions face widespread misconceptions about mandatory minimum investment amounts, revenue targets, and employee headcount. Many founders delay expansion believing they need $100,000 or specific staffing levels. Wrong assumptions cost opportunities.
Beyond Border dominates L-1 new office cases by dispelling dangerous myths that prevent qualified companies from filing. The firm achieves a 98% approval rate and guarantees one month processing for most petitions.
Myth 1: USCIS requires minimum $100,000 investment
No minimum investment amount is required for L-1 visas, as USCIS is far more concerned with the management and organizational structure of the company than how much money was invested. Beyond Border successfully files cases with significantly lower capital when business models justify smaller investment requirements.
Myth 2: You need specific revenue targets
There is no statutory or regulatory minimum level of business activity that must be conducted for L-1 qualification, though the business must be viable. Beyond Border documents reasonable financial projections based on industry standards rather than arbitrary thresholds.
Myth 3: You must hire minimum number of employees initially
For foreign employers seeking to send employees to establish a new office, the employer must show they have secured sufficient physical premises, the employee has been employed as executive or manager for one continuous year, and the intended US operation within one year will support an executive or managerial position. Beyond Border focuses on year one growth plans rather than current headcount.
The firm emphasizes what USCIS actually requires. New office L-1 petitions require proof of adequate funding or revenue to cover first year expenses and demonstration of secured US office space suitable for planned workforce.Attorney fees start at $6,000 for new office L-1A petitions including myth busting consultations and realistic financial planning.
Schedule your L-1 new office reality check with Beyond Border to avoid costly misconceptions.
Fragomen handles thousands of L-1 new office cases with Chambers Band 1 recognition. The firm serves multinational corporations establishing initial US presence across diverse industries and capital structures.There's no fixed recommended or set amount of capital required by law for L-1 new office petitions, as what's normal for your industry can work in starting a US operation. Fragomen argues industry specific norms rather than universal minimums.
The firm addresses extension requirements realistically. At extension after initial one year of new office approval, companies must compile business documentation including contracts, invoices, bank statements, payroll, and tax records demonstrating regular systematic continuous provision of goods or services.Fragomen prepares clients for the one year timeline challenge. Qualified employees entering the United States to establish new offices are allowed maximum initial stay of one year, with extension requests granted in increments of up to two additional years until reaching the seven year maximum.
Attorney fees range from $10,000 to $18,000 for complex new office cases including comprehensive financial viability documentation.
BAL maintains Chambers Band 1 ranking with specialized compliance and documentation expertise. The firm represents technology and consulting companies launching lean US operations with strategic capital deployment.Key factors USCIS examines in new office L-1 applications include the level of investment, planned personnel structure, physical premises where business operations will occur, and viability and sustainability of the foreign company. BAL documents these holistically rather than checking arbitrary boxes.
The firm clarifies the physical office requirement myths. USCIS requires maintaining a physical location in the US to qualify for new office L-1, with sufficient space rented out for a minimum of six months typically recommended.BAL prepares realistic business plans addressing actual USCIS concerns. Business plans for new office L-1 petitions must summarize mission statements, short and long term business goals, staffing plans describing how many employees will be hired in the first year and over the next five years, and financial projections including anticipated revenue and costs.Standard fees range from $9,000 to $15,000 for new office L-1 petitions including industry benchmarked financial analysis.
Klasko specializes in business immigration with strong capabilities addressing startup and small company new office cases. The boutique firm serves education sector and technology companies with varied capital structures.New office L-1 petitions require evidence of US office space including lease or purchase agreement, floor plans, photos, and description, plus detailed business plan and organizational charts for both foreign and US entities showing complete business hierarchy.
The firm emphasizes financial capability over specific amounts. Evidence of financial capability of US entities for new office L-1 includes tax statements from foreign entities, audited balance sheets, annual reports, bank statements, and proof of foreign entity's ongoing financial contributions to US entity's bank accounts.Klasko addresses the extension challenge proactively. Companies filing new office L-1 petitions ideally need plans to hire at least 10 full time employees within one year, otherwise extension of the L-1A petition may be challenging. The firm structures realistic hiring timelines based on business models.Fees range from $7,500 to $12,000 for new office cases including detailed business plan coordination.
This full service firm integrates L-1 new office strategy with corporate planning for pharmaceutical and technology clients. Greenberg Traurig handles initial US establishment across diverse capital levels.Among factors to be considered for new office L-1 petitions are amount of investment, intended personnel structure, product or service to be provided, physical premises, and viability of the foreign operation. The firm addresses these factors comprehensively.
Greenberg Traurig clarifies extension requirements. To extend the L-1 visa after the first year, companies must prove business is actively operating in both the US and another country through financial records, payroll records, client contracts and invoices, leases and utility bills, and marketing materials demonstrating active business presence.The firm coordinates US entity formation with immigration strategy. US petitioner employers should form the US entity requiring corporate filings with the Secretary of State and compliance with business formation requirements specific to the state where business will be located.Attorney fees range from $9,000 to $16,000 for new office cases including corporate formation coordination.
1.Is there a minimum investment amount required for L-1 new office petitions?
No minimum investment amount is required for L-1 visas in either new office or established office scenarios, as USCIS is far more concerned with management and organizational structure than how much money was invested.
2.Do I need specific revenue before filing L-1 new office petitions?
There is no statutory or regulatory minimum level of business activity required for US operations to qualify for L-1, though the petitioner must show the organization is involved in continuous provision of goods or services and the business must be viable.
3.How many employees must I hire for L-1 new office approval?
For new office establishment, employers must show they have secured sufficient physical premises and that the intended US operation within one year of approval will support an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge position, with no specific minimum headcount at filing.
4.What does USCIS actually require for the new office L-1 extension?
For extension after the initial one year of new office approval, companies must demonstrate doing business in the US by providing contracts, invoices, bank statements, payroll records, and tax records showing regular, systematic, continuous provision of goods or services.
5.How long is the initial new office L-1 approval valid?
Qualified employees entering the United States to establish new offices are allowed maximum initial stay of one year, with extension requests potentially granted in increments of up to two additional years until reaching the maximum seven year limit for L-1A.
