L-1 Visa Extension: Duration and Maximum Stay
L-1 visa extensions come in increments of up to two years. The L-1A can reach seven years and the L-1B five. How new office stays work and what happens at the maximum.
Page reviewed October 17, 2026.
What it is
An L-1 employee can be admitted for up to three years initially, or one year for a new office.
Extensions are granted in increments of up to two years. The maximum total stay is seven years for the L-1A and five years for the L-1B. The employer files the extension on Form I-129.
Initial stay and extensions
- New office: an initial stay of up to one year.
- All other qualified employees: an initial stay of up to three years.
- Extensions: increments of up to two years, requested by the employer on Form I-129.
Maximum stay
- L-1A: seven years.
- L-1B: five years.
After the maximum
When the maximum is reached, a new L or H petition generally cannot be approved until the person has spent time outside the United States, subject to exceptions. How that applies to a specific case is a question for a licensed immigration attorney.
Planning around the limit
- L-1A managers and executives often move to the EB-1C green card before the seven years run out.
- Others consider different categories, such as the O-1 for people with extraordinary ability.
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
How long can I stay on an L-1?
Up to seven years on the L-1A and up to five years on the L-1B, in total, including all extensions.
How long is each L-1 extension?
Extensions are granted in increments of up to two years.
Who files the extension?
The employer files Form I-129 requesting the extension of stay.
What happens when I reach the maximum?
A new L or H petition generally cannot be approved until the person has spent time outside the United States, with exceptions. Speak to a licensed immigration attorney about your case.
Does the L-1 reset if I change companies?
The maximum is counted against the person, not the company. Whether a particular period counts depends on the facts.
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.