Missing evidence can affect preparation time. Identify what exists and how it can be obtained or accurately explained; a genuine new agreement must retain its actual date and cannot retroactively create the qualifying history.
Start the documentation process before assuming a quick filing
Identify the specific record holders and outstanding facts before estimating the filing schedule. L-1 requires a qualifying relationship; a transfer between unrelated organizations is not a comparable L-1 alternative. Trust between owners does not establish the relationship or eliminate documentation work.
Allow time to gather payroll, build the chart and correct the role description, then USCIS processing for Form I-129, shortened by premium processing if the contract start date requires it. The condition is worth restating without hedging it away: the qualifying year must fall within the three years preceding the request, and time spent working in the United States for the same organization may affect how that window is counted.