United States of America · intra company
L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Intracompany transfer for employees with specialised knowledge of the employer’s products, services, or processes.
- Processing time
- Regular: 2–6 months. Premium processing: 15 business days.
- Government fees
- I-129 base USD 1,385 (most employers), plus fraud prevention (USD 500) and asylum program fee (USD 600). Premium processing USD 2,965.
- Typical duration
- Initial 3 years (1 year for new-office L-1B); extendable to 5 years total.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
The L-1B allows multinational employers to transfer employees who possess specialised knowledge to a related US entity. Unlike L-1A, L-1B does not have a direct EB-1 pathway, so most L-1B holders transition to EB-2 or EB-3 for permanent residence.
Recent changes to this route
- US: premium processing rises to $2,965 and H-1B moves to wage-weighted selection12 January 2026
Two USCIS changes land for the FY2027 H-1B season: the Form I-907 premium-processing fee rises with inflation, and cap-subject H-1B selection switches from a random lottery to a wage-weighted process.
- USCIS final fee rule takes effect1 April 2024
USCIS implemented its first major fee schedule adjustment in nearly a decade, including differentiated H-1B filing fees by employer type.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓At least 1 continuous year of full-time employment with the qualifying foreign entity in the prior 3 years.
- ✓The employee must possess specialised knowledge of the employer’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests.
- ✓A qualifying relationship must exist between the foreign and US employers.
Common blockers
- !Knowledge characterised as general industry skill rather than employer-specific.
- !Off-site placements at third-party client locations without clear employer control.
Typical evidence
- ·Detailed role description evidencing specialised knowledge.
- ·Training records, projects, and proprietary methodologies.
- ·Corporate relationship documentation.
Application pathway
Confirm qualifying foreign employment
Evidence one year of specialised-knowledge employment abroad.
File Form I-129 with L supplement
USCIS assesses specialised knowledge and corporate relationship.
Consular processing
L-1B visa issued at US consulate.
Plan PR pathway
Most L-1B holders pursue EB-2/EB-3 for green-card sponsorship.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyEmployerFile Form I-129 for L-1B ↗
The U.S. employer uses Form I-129 to petition for a specialised-knowledge transfer.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: I-129 base USD 1,385 (most employers), plus fraud prevention (USD 500) and asylum program fee (USD 600). Premium processing USD 2,965.. A decision then typically takes 2 months – 9 months. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Related routes
L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager)
Intracompany transfer for executives or managers moving to a US office of a related multinational employer.
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Employer-sponsored non-immigrant visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
Third-preference employment-based green card requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as specialised knowledge?+
USCIS defines specialised knowledge as special knowledge of the petitioning employer’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, or management, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organisation’s processes and procedures.
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