An L1 visa is one of the most commonly procured visas by individuals who wish to work in the United States of America under the L-1 category. L-1 is a non-immigrant visa and can be used for a short period of time, i.e., from three months for Iranian nationals to a period of five years for citizens from India and Japan.

This visa is based on a schedule of non-reciprocity and the maximum period for which an individual can stay in the States under this visa is seven years. The transferred employee must work for the U.S. company as a manager, executive, or person with specialized knowledge. If the employee works as a manager or an executive, the visa is called an L1A visa.

If the employee works with specialized knowledge, the visa is called an L1B visa. The L1 visa is not eligible for self-petition. The U.S. company must file the petition on the employee's behalf. Therefore, the U.S. company is the petitioner, and the L1 visa recipient is the beneficiary.