Your company is transferring you to the U.S. Here is how the L-1 visa works.

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from foreign offices to U.S. offices. L-1A is for managers and executives (up to 7 years), while L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge (up to 5 years).

Overview

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from foreign offices to U.S. offices. L-1A is for managers and executives (up to 7 years), while L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge (up to 5 years).

This page provides detailed legal information about l-1 intracompany transfer visa as it applies to permanent residents in the United States. Understanding the requirements, deadlines, and procedures ensures your immigration status remains secure. All content is authored by Jayson Elliott, J.D., a California-licensed attorney, and is current as of April 2026.

USCIS administers green card renewal and replacement. The standard path is straightforward; complications cluster around criminal records, conditional status, lost or stolen cards, and pending N-400 cases. Knowing the process — requirements, timelines, and where things go wrong — helps avoid delay and keeps your LPR status protected through the wait.

What to do about l-1 intracompany transfer visa

Your Rights Under California Law

Permanent residents have substantial rights under federal law.

Right to continued status

Your status as a permanent resident does not lapse with your card. The card is documentation of LPR status; the status itself is not on the card. Status ends only when it’s formally taken — abandonment, removal, or rescission.

Right to work

An expired work visa with a valid I-90 receipt notice remains acceptable proof of employment authorization. Employers cannot require reverification or refuse to accept this documentation.

Right to travel

Travel and reentry are available with an expired green card plus the I-90 receipt notice. For absences exceeding one year, file Form I-131 before leaving to obtain a reentry permit and protect status.

How California Law Applies

Green-card renewal is grounded in the Immigration and Nationality Act and the implementing regulations at 8 CFR § 264.5. USCIS reviews Form I-90 cases by reference to the applicant’s identity, prior LPR status, and any disqualifying issues.

The receipt extension grew to 36 months on September 10, 2024, replacing earlier 24-month and 12-month extensions. It applies to all properly filed I-90 renewals and lets applicants continue working and traveling during the renewal window.

Conditional residency is handled under separate statutory provisions. INA § 216 (marriage-based) and INA § 216A (investor-based) require petitions to remove conditions, filed within the 90-day window before the conditional card’s expiration.

The Legal Process

The first step is Form I-90, submitted either online at uscis.gov or by paper to the Phoenix lockbox. USCIS sends an I-797C receipt notice on acceptance — that notice functions as proof of LPR status for the duration of the renewal.

Processing typically runs 8 to 14 months depending on USCIS workload and the assigned service center. Premium processing isn’t offered for Form I-90. Applicants can track case status online using the receipt number.

What Documentation Matters

Key documents for work visa include:

• Current or expired work visa — Front and back copy. If lost, submit a police report or written explanation.
• Government-issued photo ID — Passport, driver’s license, or state ID with name, date of birth, photo, and signature.
• Filing fee — $415 online or $465 by mail. Fee waivers available with Form I-912.
• Name change evidence — If applicable: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order with certified English translation if in a foreign language.
• Form I-797C receipt notice — After filing, save this document. It extends your card’s validity for 36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions