L-1 Blanket Petition: Eligibility and How It Works
A blanket L petition pre-approves a company's intracompany relationships so it can transfer eligible employees quickly. Eligibility criteria, Form I-129S and limits.
Page reviewed October 17, 2026.
What it is
A blanket L petition lets a qualifying multinational establish its intracompany relationships with USCIS in advance, so it can transfer eligible employees without filing an individual petition each time.
The petitioner needs a U.S. office doing business for at least one year, three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries or affiliates, and either 10 L-1 approvals in the previous 12 months, U.S. affiliates with at least $25 million in annual sales, or 1,000 U.S. employees.
Eligibility
- The petitioner and each qualifying organization are engaged in commercial trade or services.
- The petitioner has a U.S. office that has been doing business for one year or more.
- The petitioner has three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries and affiliates.
- The petitioner and the other qualifying organizations meet one of these: at least 10 L-1 approvals in the previous 12 months, U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates with combined annual sales of at least $25 million, or a U.S. workforce of at least 1,000 employees.
How it works
Once the blanket petition is approved, the employer generally completes Form I-129S for each transferee and sends it to the employee with the blanket approval notice and the other required evidence, so that the employee can apply for the L-1 visa at a consulate.
Approval of a blanket petition does not guarantee that an employee will be granted L-1A classification. It gives the employer the flexibility to transfer eligible employees quickly without filing an individual petition with USCIS.
Employees already in the United States
How a blanket approval applies to an employee who is already in the United States, for example for a change of status, depends on the facts. It is a question for a licensed immigration attorney.
Related guides
Pricing
L-1 pricing
$10,000
flat fee, any visa
What the fee includes
- Eligibility strategy mapped to the requirements of your visa
- Support, expert and reference letters drafted and coordinated for you
- The full legal brief and every exhibit, prepared and filed
- RFE responses included at no additional cost
- Real-time updates in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese
- One team from first call to approval. No handoffs.
- If USCIS denies a petition Lando filed, Lando refunds its fee. Terms apply.
USCIS government filing fees are separate and paid directly to USCIS.
Why Lando
How Lando compares
A plain comparison with the way immigration petitions are commonly handled. Terms vary by firm, so check any provider's terms before you hire.
Price
Lando$10,000 flat fee per visa, published on the visa pages.
Commonly elsewhereOften billed hourly or by stage, so the total can change as the case grows.
Request for Evidence
LandoResponses are included at no extra cost.
Commonly elsewhereSometimes charged separately. Ask before you hire.
If USCIS denies
LandoLando refunds its fee for a petition it filed. Terms apply.
Commonly elsewhereNot always offered. Ask what is refunded.
Retainer
LandoNo retainer to begin, and no surprise invoices later.
Commonly elsewhereA retainer paid up front is common.
Who does the work
LandoOne team from first call to decision. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.
Commonly elsewhereVaries. Ask who will work on your file.
Languages
LandoCase updates in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese.
Commonly elsewhereVaries by firm.
Legal advice
LandoLando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Commonly elsewhereA law firm can give you legal advice and represent you directly.
General comparison, not a statement about any named firm. USCIS fees are separate and are paid directly to USCIS. No one can promise a USCIS decision.
How it works
From first call to filed petition
1. Evaluation
You get an honest answer.
We review your situation on a 15-minute call and tell you honestly whether the visa fits and what would make the case stronger. No retainer. No commitment.
2. Strategy
You know exactly what your case looks like.
We map which company documents and evidence prove each requirement, and what is still missing. You see the full picture before we file anything.
3. Preparation
Your petition is built without you lifting a finger.
Our team drafts the support letters and the legal brief, curates every exhibit, and reviews the full petition before it leaves our hands. You approve. We file.
4. Filing
Filed. You get on with your life.
Your petition is filed at USCIS and we manage every communication from there. We handle any RFE at no extra charge.
Common questions
What is a blanket L petition?
A petition that establishes a multinational's qualifying intracompany relationships in advance, so it can transfer eligible employees with Form I-129S instead of an individual petition each time.
Who qualifies for a blanket L?
A petitioner with a U.S. office doing business for at least one year, three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries or affiliates, and one of: 10 L-1 approvals in the previous 12 months, U.S. affiliates with at least $25 million in combined annual sales, or at least 1,000 U.S. employees.
Does a blanket approval guarantee the L-1A for an employee?
No. The employee must still be found to qualify.
Can an employee already in the U.S. use the blanket route?
The usual use is for employees who apply for the L-1 visa at a consulate with Form I-129S. How it applies to an employee already in the United States depends on the facts, so speak to a licensed immigration attorney.
Is a blanket L worth it for a small company?
Most small companies do not meet the thresholds. An individual petition is the usual route.
Is Lando a law firm?
No. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. For advice about your own situation, speak to a licensed immigration attorney.
Sources
Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.