Read the general business expansion overview
A group may have a long history while the proposed U.S. organization has been doing business for less than one year. Identify the actual organization and its activities before deciding whether the new-office requirements apply.
Establish which operation the petition concerns
Hypothetical example: a Canadian group creates a U.S. subsidiary using an established brand. Record the actual parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate relationship and ownership or control. Doing business means regular, systematic and continuous provision of goods or services; registration or an address alone does not establish the start of operations.
Separate the manager and specialist launch standards
Generally establish one continuous full-time qualifying foreign employment year within the relevant preceding three years. An L-1A new office needs sufficient premises, qualifying foreign managerial or executive employment and capacity to support the proposed U.S. managerial or executive position within one year of approval. L-1B requires qualifying specialized knowledge, sufficient premises and financial ability to pay the employee and begin doing business. A common corporate name does not substitute for either role’s evidence.
Measure the actual U.S. development
Initial new-office approval is limited to at most one year. Record the U.S. operation’s business, staffing and the applicant’s actual duties for any later assessment. The group’s overseas revenue does not by itself demonstrate what this office has achieved, and a corporate anniversary does not establish extension eligibility.
What else is on your mind?
Does being a business owner or director qualify me for L-1A?What employment history should an L-1 transfer review cover?What makes a new-office L-1A case different?Why does an L-2 spouse’s admission record matter for work?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.