After years of working in the United States on an L-1 visa, most professionals reach a point where their focus is fully on the business. The visa paperwork becomes something in the background until renewal time brings it back to the front.
Renewing an L-1 visa is not automatic. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews every request with the same level of scrutiny as an initial petition. Knowing what matters most helps reduce the risk of delay or denial.
Practical steps to stay organized as you plan your renewal
Keep the qualifying relationship intact
A valid L-1 renewal begins with proof that the United States and foreign entities still have a qualifying relationship such as parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch. This structure must remain consistent from the first approval through renewal.
Tip: Even small ownership or structural changes can raise questions. Keep corporate records current and be ready to show how management and financial control still flow between both offices. If a merger, sale, or reorganization occurred, prepare documentation that clearly preserves the qualifying link.
Quick check:
- Have there been ownership changes since your last approval?
- Do corporate documents show the same control and connection between entities?
Show that both companies are still in business
USCIS defines “doing business” as the regular and continuous provision of goods or services, not just maintaining a business license.
Tip: Provide evidence that both the U.S. and foreign offices remain active. Include tax filings, invoices, contracts, payroll reports, or proof of ongoing client activity. Dormant or paper-only entities often trigger Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
Quick Check:
- Can both offices prove recent commercial or service activity?
- Are financial statements or payroll records available for review?
Demonstrate that the role still qualifies
Your job must continue to meet the definition of executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge duties. A change in responsibilities that focuses mainly on daily operations can weaken a renewal case.
Tip: Update your job description and organization chart before filing. Show clear oversight responsibilities and, for executives or managers, identify the employees or teams you supervise. For specialized knowledge workers, emphasize proprietary systems, methods, or expertise not easily found in the local labor market.
Quick Check:
- Do your current duties match your approved L-1 classification?
- Can you show that you manage staff, budgets, or specialized processes?
File Form I-129 early and completely
The employer must file Form I-129 (Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker) before the current authorized stay expires.
Tip: Track your expiration date and build a renewal timeline. Filing early allows time to fix small errors or respond to an RFE. Double-check the latest edition of Form I-129 and current fees on the USCIS website before submission.
Quick Check:
- Have you confirmed your visa’s expiration date?
- Did you use the latest version of Form I-129 and correct fee amount?
Stay within the maximum time limit
USCIS limits total time in L-1 status to seven years for L-1A and five years for L-1B.
Tip: Keep a precise record of your time spent in the United States and abroad. If you traveled outside the country, you may recapture that time with proof such as passport stamps or flight records. This detail can extend your lawful stay when properly documented.
Quick Check:
- Do you know how much L-1 time you have used?
- Have you kept records of trips you took outside the United States? Time spent abroad does not count toward your total L-1 limit. If you can show proof of those trips, such as passport stamps or travel records, that time may be added back to your eligible stay.
Source:
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/visit-the-united-states/extend-your-stay
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-l-chapter-6
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-l-chapter-7
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-l-chapter-10