L-1A Visa Manager Defined

Video Transcript – Part 3 Intra-Company Transfer L-1A and L-1B Visas

Welcome to the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram. We’re delighted to have you join us for part 3 in our video presentation on Intra-Company Transfers L-1A and L-1B Visas.

In this session, we’re diving into how the U.S. Immigration defines ‘management’ within an organization. So, what does it actually mean to be a manager under the L-1 visa program? Let’s break it down.

To qualify as a manager, an individual must be responsible for overseeing a high-level function within the company or supervising other professionals, managers, or supervisors. More specifically, a managerial role involves:

1. Directing an organization or a significant department within it.
2. Supervising and guiding other managers, professionals, or supervisors.
3. Having the authority to hire, fire, and promote employees or make key recommendations on these decisions.
4. Exercising discretionary authority over the day-to-day operations of the business.
5. Importantly, a first-line supervisor—meaning someone who only manages entry-level staff—does not qualify, unless the people they supervise are professionals in their field.

When reviewing an application, U.S. Immigration looks beyond job titles. They want to see where the transferee fits in the company’s structure and whether they are truly in a leadership role.

Simply put, a manager should focus on managing others rather than performing the core day-to-day work themselves.

If the transferee is the one carrying out the essential functions of the business, they may not qualify as a manager.

Let’s take a look at a real-world case study to illustrate this.

Imagine a plastic surgeon from the UK applying for an L-1 visa to open a medical clinic in the U.S. The business plan outlines that:

1.The surgeon will be the only medically qualified practitioner in the clinic.
2.They will hire administrative staff to handle bookings, paperwork, and finances.

Under L-1 visa guidelines, this application would likely be denied. Why? Because the surgeon is personally performing the core function of the business—medical procedures—rather than leading others to do the work.

However, there’s a way this could work:
If the surgeon’s plan included hiring other doctors within the first year, then they would be overseeing a medical team, making them a better fit for an L-1 managerial role.

A sole employee of a U.S. branch may still qualify for an L-1 visa in certain cases. For instance, if a surgeon subcontracts or hires freelance medical staff instead of directly employing them, they could still be considered in a managerial role.

Since immigration policies and interpretations can change, we recommend checking USCIS policy updates or contacting our office for the latest guidance.

In the next video, we’ll explore how U.S. Immigration defines an ‘executive’ role and what it takes to qualify for an L-1 visa under this category.

See you in the next session.

Chris M. Ingram, a U.S. Immigration Attorney, is originally from Northampton, England. He earned his BA (Hons) in Law from De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, in 1994. In 1996, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PGDLP) at De Montfort School of Law, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Huddersfield University, UK, in 1998. After relocating to the United States, Chris was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2003 and has been a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) since 2004.

Having experienced the U.S. immigration process firsthand with his wife and three children, Chris M. Ingram founded his law firm with a mission to ensure that every client receives the best possible immigration experience. He recognized the need for accessible and comprehensive immigration education, leading him to develop one of the most informative online platforms available today.

The Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram website now features:

1. Over 1,000 pages of immigration resources
2. Hundreds of educational videos on visa and green card options
3. Client success stories and testimonials to inspire new applicants

We continually update and expand our content to keep visitors informed about the latest immigration policies, visa options, and legal strategies.

Chris M. Ingram strongly believes that every potential client deserves a free consultation. This allows individuals to speak personally and confidentially with an immigration specialist about their visa, work permit, or green card options. Our goal is to provide the guidance and expertise needed to help you achieve your American Dream.
We’re delighted you’ve found us, and we look forward to helping you make your immigration journey a reality. You’ve come to the right place!

All videos and content created by the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. If you require specific guidance regarding your immigration case, please contact our office for personalized legal assistance.
Additionally, all images used on our website and in our videos are licensed stock images for illustrative purposes only. They do not depict actual clients or staff members unless otherwise noted