The L nonimmigrant visa category is an extremely valuable option available to international companies and managers and executives seeking to immigrate to the United States.  An individual may immigrate to the United States in L-1 status for the period of time necessitated by the employer, up to a maximum initial period of stay of three years. An L-1 extension of stay may be granted in increments of up to two years. The total period of stay may reach seven years for L-1A managers and executives, and five years for L-1B specialized knowledge personnel. No further extensions may be authorized once the maximum period of stay in L-1A or L-1B status has been reached.

 In addition, in 1990 a new employment-based immigrant preference category was created for managers and executives who meet the L-1 standards for those employees. These aliens are considered "priority workers" in the first preference, which has 40,000 annual immigrant visas allotted to it.

Family members of the L-1 nonimmigrant are entitled to admission in the L-2 nonimmigrant category. Included in this category is the spouse of the visa holder, as well as minor unmarried children under the age of 21. Once children attain the age of 21 or get married, they are no longer eligible to remain in the United States in L-2 status. Family members are admitted for the same period of time for which the principal family member is admitted.