L-1 vs O-1: Which Visa Fits You?
L-1 versus O-1: the L-1 depends on a foreign affiliate and a year abroad with the company, the O-1 on your own extraordinary ability. Requirements, limits and who each suits.
Page reviewed October 17, 2026.
What it is
The L-1 depends on the employer: a qualifying relationship between a foreign and a U.S. company, and one year of employment abroad with that company.
The O-1 depends on the individual: sustained acclaim shown by a major award or at least three criteria. The L-1 is tied to the intracompany transfer and lasts up to seven or five years. The O-1 can be filed by an employer or a U.S. agent and can be extended in increments of up to one year.
Side by side
| Item | L-1 | O-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Test | Employer structure and the employee's year abroad | The individual's extraordinary ability |
| Who files | The U.S. employer (or the foreign company for a new office) | A U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent |
| Maximum stay | 7 years (L-1A), 5 years (L-1B) | Initial 3 years, extensions of up to 1 year, no fixed maximum |
| Cap or lottery | None | None |
| Spouse work rights | L-2S spouses can work | O-3 spouses cannot work |
| Foreign affiliate needed | Yes | No |
When the L-1 fits
- A multinational is transferring a manager, executive or specialized-knowledge employee who has been with the company abroad for a year.
- A foreign company wants to open a U.S. office.
When the O-1 fits
- The person has strong evidence of acclaim but no foreign affiliate to transfer from.
- The person works for several clients or is self-employed, and a U.S. agent can file.
Moving from one to the other
Someone near the L-1 time limit who has built a record of acclaim may consider the O-1, and an O-1 holder who joins a multinational may later qualify for the L-1 after a year abroad.
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 the main difference between the L-1 and the O-1?
The L-1 depends on the employer's intracompany structure and the employee's year abroad. The O-1 depends on the individual's extraordinary ability.
Do both avoid the H-1B lottery?
Yes. Neither the L-1 nor the O-1 has an annual cap or lottery.
Can an O-1 holder's spouse work?
No. O-3 status does not allow employment. L-2S spouses can work.
Which has a time limit?
The L-1 has a maximum of seven years (L-1A) or five (L-1B). The O-1 is extended in increments of up to one year with no fixed maximum.
Can I use an agent for an L-1?
The L-1 is filed by the U.S. employer or the foreign company opening a new office. The agent route is specific to the O-1.
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.