L-1A · Timeline

After filing

1. 1

   Receipt

   USCIS sends a receipt notice. With premium processing, the 15-business-day clock starts when USCIS receives the forms and fees.^[1,2]

2. 2

   Review

   USCIS may approve, issue an RFE or NOID, or deny. For an extension involving the same parties and facts, it gives deference to the prior approval unless there was a material error, a material change or new adverse information.^[3,4]

3. 3

   Approval

   A transferee abroad then applies for the L-1 visa. An approved petition is prima facie evidence of eligibility, but the consular officer still confirms the facts at the interview.^[5]

4. 4

   At the consulate

   If the officer believes you are not entitled to L classification, the officer refuses under INA 221(g) and can send the petition back to USCIS for reconsideration.^[5]

5. 5

   Entry

   ◈High confidence You cannot be admitted past the petition's validity date. The L visa may be valid longer under reciprocity, but the petition controls your stay.^[5,6]

If you get an RFE or NOID

USCIS sets the RFE deadline, up to 12 weeks (84 days); a NOID allows up to 30 days. If the notice is mailed, 3 days are added. USCIS cannot grant extra time.^[4,7,8]

Send everything together in one response. USCIS treats a partial response as a request for a decision on the record.^[4]

If you do not respond by the deadline, the petition may be denied as abandoned, on the record, or both.^[4]

With premium processing, a new 15-business-day period starts when USCIS receives your response.^[1]

A denied L petition can be appealed to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) or challenged by motion on Form I-290B, generally within 30 days (33 if the decision was mailed). A denied extension of stay itself cannot be appealed.^[3,6,9]