How Easy Is It to Get an L1 Visa and Convert to H1B?

The L1 visa is generally easier to obtain compared to the H1B because it does not have an annual quota or lottery system. It is meant for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to the U.S. branch, typically in managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge roles.

There are no strict caps like the H1B, but eligibility requires that the employee has worked for the company abroad for at least one continuous year in the past three years. The process usually takes a few weeks to a few months depending on documentation, company size, and whether premium processing is used.

Once in the U.S. on an L1, it is possible to change status to an H1B, but this would require going through the regular H1B process, including the lottery, if applicable. The employer would need to file a petition for the H1B during the annual filing window.