The L-1 lets a company transfer a manager, executive or specialist from its Canadian office to a related US office, including a brand-new one. It works for large companies and for small Canadian businesses opening their first US location. For managers and executives, it can also lead to a green card.
Updated November 2026.
If so, the L-1 may fit, especially if you’ve been with the company for at least a year.
You manage people, a department or an essential function, or you make high-level decisions with little oversight. Up to 7 years in total, and it can lead to an EB-1C green card for multinational managers.
You have advanced knowledge of the company’s products, processes or systems that’s hard to find elsewhere. Up to 5 years in total.
A Canadian business without a US location can still use the L-1A to send a manager or owner to set one up. The company must show:
A lease or office space secured for the US business.
At least 1 continuous year as a manager or executive with the Canadian company in the last 3 years.
That the US office will be able to support a managerial role within 1 year, usually by hiring staff.
New-office approvals last 1 year. To extend, the US business needs to show real progress: staff, revenue and operations.
| L-1 | E-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs 1 year with the company | Yes | No |
| Needs an investment | No set amount, but the US business must be real | Yes, substantial for the business |
| Time limit | 7 years (L-1A) or 5 years (L-1B) | No limit while the business qualifies |
| Green card path | Yes, through EB-1C for managers | Not directly |
| Spouse can work | Yes | Yes |
Many Canadian business owners qualify for both. Read the E-2 guide
Yes. There’s no minimum company size. A small Canadian business can open a US office and transfer an owner or manager, as long as the businesses are related and both are actively doing business.
Yes. Owners can be transferred, as long as they’ve worked for the company in a qualifying role for at least a year and the US role is managerial, executive or specialized.
Canadians usually don’t need a visa stamp. With the right documents, you can apply at certain US ports of entry or at preclearance at a Canadian airport, or the company can get approval from USCIS first.
Yes. Spouses of L-1 workers are allowed to work as part of their status. Their I-94 is marked “L-2S”.
For managers and executives, often yes, through the EB-1C category for multinational managers, which currently has no waiting line for Canadians.
Tell us about your company and your role. We’ll tell you plainly whether L-1, E-2 or another route fits best, and what the US business needs to show.
VisaPlace Immigration works with licensed and experienced immigration lawyers, who are independent and operate separately from VisaPlace Immigration. VisaPlace Immigration does not provide legal advice. This page is for information purposes only and reflects information available in November 2026. Rules can change. For legal advice, consult a licensed immigration lawyer. Sources: USCIS, L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager and L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge; 8 CFR 214.2(l); US State Department, Visa Bulletin for November 2026.
