L-1B Visa for Specialized Knowledge Employees
The L-1B visa transfers an employee with specialized knowledge to a U.S. office of the same company. The definition, what the petition must show and the five-year limit.
Page reviewed October 17, 2026.
What it is
The L-1B lets a U.S. employer transfer a professional employee with specialized knowledge from an affiliated foreign office to a U.S. office.
Specialized knowledge means special knowledge of the organization's product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge of its processes and procedures. The initial stay is up to three years, and the maximum is five years.
- Role
- Specialized knowledgeOf the company's products, processes or services.
- Maximum stay
- 5 yearsExtensions in increments of up to two years.
- First stay
- Up to 3 yearsUp to 1 year for a new office.
- Family
- L-2 statusSpouses in L-2S status can work.
What specialized knowledge means
The regulation defines specialized knowledge as special knowledge possessed by an individual of the petitioning organization's product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization's processes and procedures. A specialized knowledge professional is someone with that knowledge who is also a member of the professions as defined in the immigration statute.
What the petition has to show
- A qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. companies.
- One continuous year of employment abroad with a qualifying organization within the previous three years.
- That the U.S. position requires specialized knowledge, with an explanation of what the knowledge is and how it differs from what is generally held in the industry or in the company.
- That the employer is, or will be, doing business in the United States and abroad for the duration of the stay.
Period of stay
A new office employee receives an initial stay of up to one year. Other L-1B employees receive up to three years. Extensions can be granted in increments of up to two years until the employee reaches five years in total.
L-1B compared with the L-1A
- The L-1A covers executives and managers and lasts up to seven years. The L-1B covers specialized knowledge and lasts up to five years.
- A specialized knowledge employee does not qualify for the multinational manager and executive green card category (EB-1C) on that basis alone.
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 specialized knowledge for the L-1B?
Special knowledge of the organization's product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management or other interests and its application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization's processes and procedures.
How long does the L-1B last?
The initial stay is up to three years, or one year for a new office. Extensions are granted in increments of up to two years, to a maximum of five years.
Does the employee need a degree?
The L-1B requires specialized knowledge, not a particular degree. The regulation's separate term, specialized knowledge professional, refers to someone with that knowledge who is also a member of the professions.
Can an L-1B employee work at a client site?
That depends on the facts of the arrangement and whether the employee remains under the control of the petitioning employer. It is a question for a licensed immigration attorney.
Is there a lottery for the L-1B?
No. The L-1B has no annual cap and no lottery.
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.