USCIS petition fees: $2,485 for a standard employer ($1,385 base + $600 Asylum Program + $500 Fraud Prevention). $1,495 for a small employer (25 or fewer FTEs). Add $4,500 if Public Law 114-113 applies.
Premium processing (optional): $2,965 for I-129, $2,075 for eligible I-539 — both effective 1 March 2026. 15 business days for L-1.
Per-applicant consular cost: roughly $479 ($205 MRV + $250 Visa Integrity Fee + $24 I-94), plus any reciprocity. $0 reciprocity for Indian nationals; ~$479 still applies per applicant and per L-2 dependent.
Legal & business plan fees: typically $13,000–$45,000+, depending on complexity and whether a new-office filing is involved.
Who pays: the U.S. employer pays USCIS petition fees. The employee typically pays the MRV and any reciprocity. Either party can pay premium processing.
India compliance: Indian companies fund the U.S. entity via FEMA ODI (not LRS); resident individuals can use LRS up to $250,000 per FY per PAN. See the India section.
The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer managers, executives (L-1A), or specialized knowledge workers (L-1B) to a U.S. office. Whether you are establishing a "New Office" or transferring personnel to an existing U.S. subsidiary, understanding the total L-1 visa costs is essential for corporate financial planning. For more general information on how to qualify, read our L-1 Visa Guide.
Quick Snapshot of L-1 Visa Costs and Fees (2026)
Category
Typical Range (USD)
Notes / Responsibility
USCIS Filing Fees
Varies by filing type and employer profile. Non-refundable.
Depends on the Form I-129 filing fee, employer size, fraud fee applicability, asylum program fee, and any additional Public Law fee.
Asylum Program Fee
$0 – $600
Required for all I-129 employment filings. $0 for nonprofits, $300 for small employers, $600 standard.
Legal & Professional Fees
$13,000 – $45,000+
Attorney, business plan, and corporate costs.
Consular & Visa Issuance
$205 MRV + $250 Visa Integrity Fee + any reciprocity fee
Varies by applicant nationality. Indian nationals pay $0 reciprocity but still pay the MRV and Visa Integrity Fee.
Premium Processing (optional)
$2,965 for I-129; $2,075 for eligible I-539 (as of 1 March 2026)
Real-world totals depend on employer size, whether premium processing is used, and how many dependents travel. Below are the four scenarios we see most often. Figures are USCIS + consular government fees only — legal, business plan, and corporate-setup costs are additional (see Legal Fees).
Scenario
USCIS Fees
Premium Processing
Consular (per traveller)
Government Total
Small employer, no premium, principal only
$1,495
—
~$479
~$1,974
Standard employer, premium, principal only
$2,485
$2,965
~$479
~$5,929
Indian founder + spouse + 1 child, premium
$2,485
$2,965
~$479 × 3 = ~$1,437
~$6,887
Large employer + Public Law 114-113, premium
$2,485 + $4,500
$2,965
~$479
~$10,429
Reciprocity fees are not included above (USD 0 for Indian and Singaporean nationals; varies elsewhere — see India section and the reciprocity table). Indian L-1 budgets often look closest to row 3. Add legal and business plan costs on top of all scenarios.
Country-Specific Notes on These Scenarios
While the dollar figures above are the same regardless of nationality, the practical experience of getting an L-1 differs by country:
United Kingdom: $0 reciprocity. UK L-1 cases are generally fast at the London embassy. UK source-of-funds documentation under HMRC and FCA frameworks is well-accepted. See our UK-specific L-1 guide.
Singapore: $0 reciprocity. Singaporean L-1 cases interview at the US Embassy in Singapore. MAS / IRAS source-of-funds compliance applies for Singaporean residents capitalising US entities. See our Singapore-specific L-1 guide.
Australia: $1,775 reciprocity fee (the largest of any L-1 sending country). Australian L-1 budgets need to add this on top of the per-applicant total. The L visa is heavily used by Australian executives at US-owned subsidiaries.
Canada: $0 reciprocity. Canadian nationals can use the L-1 either as a standard visa or, where eligible, as an L-1 stamping case at a US port of entry (a procedural shortcut available to most Canadians under NAFTA legacy practice).
India: $0 reciprocity, but FEMA / LRS / RBI compliance is the biggest practical variable. See the dedicated India section below for a full breakdown.
2026: The OBBBA Updates
Three OBBBA / H.R. 1 changes took effect during 2025–2026 and affect L-1 budgeting:
Visa Integrity Fee. A new $250 fee at visa issuance applies to many nonimmigrant categories including L. Implementation and refund mechanics continue to evolve — verify current State Department guidance before filing.
I-94 fee rose from $6 to $24 (charged at port of entry).
ESTA fee rose from $4 to $13 plus processing — relevant for clients travelling on B-1/ESTA before an L-1 setup.
Additionally, USCIS issued routine inflation adjustments on 1 January 2026 and increased Form I-907 premium processing on 1 March 2026. Premium processing timeframes (15 business days for L-1 Form I-129) did not change.
Get in Touch With our Experienced L-1 Visa Lawyers Today
A Real-World Story: Why "L-1 Visa Cost" Is Never One Number
When people first search "L-1 visa cost," they expect a single number. The reality is that L-1 costs are made up of three layers, and what a company actually pays depends on which layers apply.
Take Daniel, who runs a software company in London and is opening a U.S. office in New York. His total spend breaks down as:
Government filing fees — the unavoidable baseline. USCIS petition fees (I-129 + Asylum + Fraud) plus consular fees at the U.S. embassy. Several thousand dollars before any other cost.
Optional speed — premium processing at $2,965 (effective 1 March 2026) buys a 15-business-day USCIS adjudication. Optional, but most fast-moving companies pay it because the alternative is waiting months. See our USCIS Premium Processing guide.
Legal support — proving the qualifying relationship, the executive or specialised role, the business plan, and the legitimacy of the transfer. This is the largest line for most cases.
Total spend ranges from a few thousand dollars for the simplest existing-office transfer to $15,000+ for new-office cases with premium processing and full legal support. The four-row Total Cost Scenarios table above gives the actual numbers.
Government & Filing Fees for the L-1 Visa (2026)
USCIS government fees for the L-1 petition depend heavily on the size and type of the petitioning U.S. employer. Fees listed below should be checked against the current USCIS fee schedule at the time of filing.
USCIS Petition Fees (Form I-129)
Fee Type
Standard Amount
Small Employer / Nonprofit
Description
Base Filing Fee (Form I-129, L classification)
$1,385
$695
Required for all initial L-1 petitions, extensions, and transfers.
Asylum Program Fee
$600
$300 ($0 for Nonprofits)
Mandatory fee for all I-129 employment-based petitions.
Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee
$500
$500
Mandatory for initial L-1 petitions and employer changes. Not required when changing from L-1A to L-1B or vice versa, or on extensions of stay with the same employer.
Public Law 114-113 Fee
$4,500
$0
Only for firms with more than 50 U.S. staff where more than 50% are on L-1 or H-1B status. Charged per petition.
Premium Processing (Form I-907, optional)
$2,965
$2,965
Effective 1 March 2026. Guarantees USCIS adjudicative action within 15 business days for L-1 I-129 filings. The clock pauses if USCIS issues an RFE and restarts on response.
Consular Processing & Dependent Fees
Fee Type
Amount (2026)
Description
MRV (DS-160) Application Fee
$205
Non-refundable petition-based visa application fee, paid per applicant before scheduling the consular interview. Receipt valid 365 days.
Visa Integrity Fee (H.R. 1 / OBBBA)
$250
New fee under the 2025 H.R. 1 (OBBBA) law, charged at visa issuance for many nonimmigrant categories. Refund mechanics depend on departure and compliance and continue to evolve; verify current State Department guidance.
I-94 (Arrival/Departure) Fee
$24
Increased from $6 under H.R. 1. Charged at port of entry.
Reciprocity (Visa Issuance) Fee
Varies
Depends on nationality. $0 for many countries, but several thousand dollars for some. See the country examples below.
L-2 dependent filings
Confirm against current fee schedule
Form I-539 (change of status / extension of stay for dependents in the U.S.) and any biometrics or premium processing for I-539, where applicable, are billed separately from the principal's I-129.
Note regarding U.S. State Department Visa Issuance (Reciprocity) Fees
The visa reciprocity fee varies by the country of the applicant's nationality. These fees are based on fees charged to U.S. applicants and can be found on the U.S. State Department's website.
For example:
Andorra has an L Visa Reciprocity fee of USD 59.00.
Professional fees cover legal strategy, evidence gathering, and drafting the complex petition package. Because L-1 "New Office" cases are highly document-intensive — see our L-1 Documents Required guide for the full evidentiary inventory — using a lawyer familiar with corporate and consular practice is strongly advised. Our L-1 Visa Process guide walks through how the legal work fits each stage.
Fees depend on a number of factors, including whether the firm uses paralegal support, the complexity of the corporate structure, whether the case is a new office filing, the volume of supporting documents, whether business plan work is needed, the level of lawyer access the client wants, the experience of the lawyers involved, and whether the work is billed on a fixed fee or hourly basis.
Service
Typical Range (USD)
Purpose
Immigration Attorney
$8,000 – $20,000+
Petition drafting, RFE protection, and consular preparation.
Corporate Lawyer
$2,500 – $25,000
U.S. entity formation, specialized bylaws, and complex stock issuance documentation.
L-1 Business Plan
$2,500 – $5,000
A detailed business plan is often a core part of a new office filing because the petitioner must show that the new office will support an executive or managerial position within the required period. See 9 FAM 402.12 and 8 CFR § 214.2(l).
Translations & Admin
$300 – $800
Certified translations, notary, and courier fees.
U.S. Business Formation & "New Office" Compliance Costs
When establishing a new office in the United States, the company will often incur additional business setup and operating costs that are separate from the immigration filing itself.
Entity Registration ($100 – $1,000+): State-specific filing fees for a new LLC or Corporation.
Physical Premises Lease ($2,000 – $10,000+ per month): USCIS expects evidence of sufficient physical premises for a new office L-1.
Licenses & Permits: Industry-specific costs (e.g., professional licensing, health permits, or specialized zoning).
The company must show premises sufficient for the business, but the practical evidence needed depends on the nature of the operation and the filing context. See 9 FAM 402.12 and 8 CFR § 214.2(l).
L-1 Visa Fees in Indian Cases: What Indian Applicants Actually Pay
भारत से अमेरिका — हम साथ हैं
From India to the U.S. — We Walk Every Step With You
Indian founders, executives, and IT services managers make up the largest national group of L-1 visa users worldwide. This section is the practical 2026 cost and compliance guide for Indian L-1 applicants, written by our Mumbai and Bangalore team in coordination with our U.S. attorneys.
39,729L-1 visas issued to Indians in FY 2024 (US State Dept.)
~27%Indian share of global L-1 issuances
~$479Per-applicant consular cost at Indian posts (2026)
5 postsDelhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata
✓ Mumbai office (BKC)
✓ Bangalore office (UB City)
✓ Hundreds of approved Indian L-1 cases
✓ FEMA / LRS / RBI / GST aware
✓ US & UK qualified counsel
Reciprocity is only one slice of what an Indian L-1 applicant pays at the consular stage. The reciprocity fee for an Indian national applying for an L visa is USD 0, which leads many companies to assume that the consular leg is free. It is not. The $0 reciprocity figure refers only to the visa issuance fee that the U.S. charges Indian nationals to mirror what India charges U.S. citizens for an equivalent visa. The MRV (machine-readable visa) processing fee, the new Visa Integrity Fee, and the I-94 fee all still apply — these are separate from the USCIS petition fees the U.S. employer pays on Form I-129.
Per-applicant consular costs for an Indian L-1 applicant in 2026
Fee
Amount (USD)
When paid / by whom
MRV Application Fee
$205
Paid before scheduling the interview through the official portal. Petition-based visas (H, L, O, P, Q, R) carry the $205 rate. Non-refundable, non-transferable. Receipt valid 365 days.
L Visa Reciprocity Fee (India)
$0
India charges no equivalent fee to U.S. citizens, so the U.S. reciprocity for Indian nationals is zero. See the official India reciprocity page.
Visa Integrity Fee (OBBBA / H.R. 1)
$250
New fee under H.R. 1, charged at visa issuance for many nonimmigrant categories. Implementation details continue to evolve, so check current State Department guidance before filing.
I-94 Fee
$24
Increased from $6 to $24 under H.R. 1. Charged at port of entry on the Arrival/Departure record.
Per-applicant consular total
Roughly $479
Subject to current rules; figures should be confirmed at the time of filing.
The per-applicant figure repeats for each L-2 dependent. A principal L-1A with a spouse and one child applying at a U.S. post in India pays the consular leg roughly three times, even though USCIS petition fees were already paid by the employer in the United States. MRV and other consular fees are payable in Indian Rupees at the consular exchange rate prevailing on the date of payment — confirm the current rate with your AD bank or via the official US Travel Docs India portal before remitting.
Recent Indian L-1 Case Results from Davies & Associates
The following are recent approved Indian L-1 cases from our practice. Each links to the published case study on our site.
Owner-operator of three Hyderabad restaurants opening Seattle location
Owner obtained an L-1A as executive/manager of the U.S. operation, alongside an L-1B for a specialist chef carrying company-specific recipes and technique.
The State Department operates five U.S. consular posts in India that adjudicate L visas. Each post has its own consular district based on the applicant's state of residence. Davies & Associates maintains a dedicated guide for each post linked from the table below.
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Sole acceptance post in India for Blanket L-1 (Form I-129S) interviews — regardless of where the applicant resides. Note that Karnataka (Bangalore) is in Chennai's consular district despite Hyderabad's geographic proximity.
Operating from the Financial District (Nanakramguda) location. Historically faster slot availability than Delhi/Mumbai for IT-services L-1 traffic.
U.S. Consulate General Kolkata
West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, the Northeast (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh)
Lower-volume post; often the fastest for slot availability.
Note: only the Chennai consulate processes Blanket L-1 (Form I-129S) applications in India. New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata process individual L-1A and L-1B petitions (and L-2 dependents) but do not adjudicate Blanket L cases.
Indian applicants can in practice choose between Indian posts based on appointment availability, but applying at a post outside India is restricted. Since 6 September 2025, the State Department has directed L visa applicants to apply at a post in their country of nationality or legal residence. The older practice of shifting Indian L-1 interviews to third countries such as Singapore or Vietnam when Indian wait times spiked is no longer routinely available; exceptions are narrow (humanitarian, medical emergency, or foreign-policy interest).
What is different about Indian L-1 cases, beyond the fees
Form I-129 is approved by USCIS in the United States; the visa is then issued by a consular officer in India, applying 9 FAM 402.12. The officer is entitled to re-examine the petition on the merits and is not bound by the USCIS approval. A few features of Indian L-1 practice in particular drive cost and risk:
Consular site visits. Where the officer has any concern about the Indian entity, the post may direct a consular investigator to visit the Indian business premises. We have seen visits where the investigator found no employees on site and the visa was refused as a result. Indian businesses should ensure that the Shops and Establishments Act licence, GST and income tax filings, payroll records, and physical premises are all consistent with the petition before the interview is booked. See our L-1 Visa Documents Required guide for the full evidence checklist.
221(g) administrative processing. The most common L-1 refusal in India is a 221(g) — a procedural hold while the consulate seeks more information or completes administrative processing. A 221(g) is not a final denial and can be overcome under 9 FAM 403.10-3, but it can add weeks to months of delay and additional legal cost. The applicant has one year from the refusal date to submit any missing documents before a new MRV fee is required. For the consular-side detail, see our New Delhi consular guide and the L-1 Consular Processing in India overview.
Specialised knowledge scrutiny (L-1B). Indian L-1B filings, particularly in IT services and consulting models with end-client placements, receive close review at the consular stage against the specialised-knowledge test at 9 FAM 402.12. Petitions that read as generic skills, rather than knowledge specific to the petitioner, draw 221(g) referrals back to USCIS. See our case study of an L-1B specialised knowledge approval for a semiconductor engineer, and the L-1A vs L-1B requirements breakdown.
Five- and seven-year caps. L-1B applicants are capped at five years of total time in L status and L-1A applicants at seven years, including any prior time in H status. Indian applicants who have previously held H-1B should factor this into the cost-benefit of an L-1 transfer. See our L-1 Visa Renewal guide for extension mechanics, and the L-1 to green-card path via EB-1C for applicants approaching the cap.
Country-of-residence rule (since 6 September 2025). Indian residents must apply at a post in India unless a narrow humanitarian or foreign-policy exception applies. This forecloses the older practice of shifting Indian L-1 interviews to Singapore or Ho Chi Minh City when wait times in India spiked. (Singaporean nationals and Singapore-resident foreign nationals can still process L-1 cases through our Singapore office.)
FEMA, LRS, RBI & GST: What Indian Founders Need to Know
For Indian founders setting up or capitalising the U.S. entity that will sponsor the L-1, immigration is only half the picture. The Indian-side compliance — moving money out of India lawfully, filing the right Reserve Bank of India (RBI) forms, and meeting income-tax and GST obligations — is equally important. A clean Indian compliance file makes the U.S. side faster, and a messy one can sink the consular interview entirely. The end goal of most Indian founder cases is an EB-1C green card; the L-1A is the on-ramp.
Key takeaway
Resident Indians use LRS (capped at USD 250,000/year per PAN). Indian companies use ODI (uncapped, net-worth based). Two different RBI frameworks. Pick the right one before you remit.
Resident individuals: LRS
If you are a resident Indian individual sending personal money to fund the U.S. entity, you use the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) — capped at USD 250,000 per financial year (1 April – 31 March), per PAN. Form A2 declaration required at the bank. Aadhaar, PAN and KYC mandatory. Once the U.S. entity is funded, it is that U.S. entity that files Form I-129 with USCIS — not the Indian individual.
Indian companies: ODI under FEMA
If your Indian company is investing into a U.S. subsidiary or affiliate, you use the Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) framework under FEMA, not LRS. ODI is processed through your Authorised Dealer (AD Category-I) bank, with reporting on Form FC and the Annual Performance Report (APR). The USD 250,000 cap does not apply at the corporate level — ODI is calibrated to net worth. The qualifying corporate relationship under 8 CFR 214.2(l) is established by the ODI route (parent / subsidiary / affiliate ownership) — see our L-1 requirements page for how USCIS evaluates the relationship.
Tax collected at source (TCS)
TCS applies to most LRS outflows above ₹10 lakh per financial year — currently 20% on "other purposes" including investment-like transfers. TCS is advance tax; you reclaim it in your ITR (visible in Form 26AS / AIS). Form 15CA / 15CB from a Chartered Accountant is required for most foreign remittances under Income Tax Rule 37BB.
GST on L-1 attorney fees
GST does not apply to the L-1 visa filing itself, but applies to professional services billed within India. Legal fees billed by an India-based firm to an India-based client are subject to 18% GST under SAC 9982. Fees billed by a U.S. firm to an Indian client are generally outside Indian GST but may attract reverse-charge or TDS depending on the structure.
The full Indian-founder FAQ (LRS funding, GST on attorney fees, H-1B-to-L-1A time, L-2 spouse work, timeline) is in the unified FAQ section below under "For Indian Founders & CEOs." For a step-by-step walk through the whole India L-1 sequence (corporate setup → I-129 → consular interview → arrival), see our L-1 Visa for Indians hub page.
Speak to our India team in Mumbai or Bangalore
Confidential consultation with an L-1 visa lawyer based in India who knows both FEMA and the U.S. consular process. हम साथ हैं — we walk every step with you.
Mumbai office: Enam Sambhav, C-20, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400051 · Bangalore office: Regus UB City, Level 15, Concorde Tower, 1 Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore 560001.
Davies & Associates note: Our India team in Mumbai and Bangalore handles Indian-side compliance and consular preparation in coordination with our U.S. attorneys who file the I-129. For deeper walk-throughs of each stage, see our L-1 Visa guide for Indian nationals, our L-1 Consular Processing in India overview, and the post-specific guides linked in the table above.
The four Total Cost Scenarios above cover the government fee side end-to-end. To get to your final all-in number, add two further line items that are not government fees:
Legal & professional services: typically $13,000–$45,000+. Covers immigration attorney work, business plan preparation (for new-office cases), corporate formation and structuring, certified translations, and notary/admin. The range reflects case complexity — straightforward in-territory transfers are at the lower end; new-office cases with multi-jurisdiction corporate structures are at the upper end. See the Legal Fees section for the detailed breakdown.
Business setup & lease: variable, but recoverable. US entity registration ($100–$1,000+), physical premises lease ($2,000–$10,000+ per month), and any industry licenses or permits. These are operating capital costs, not immigration costs — they do not disappear if you do not file the L-1, and they generate business value of their own.
Combining the Total Cost Scenarios above with these two further categories gives the realistic all-in budget. For Indian L-1 cases, also factor in FEMA / LRS structuring costs on the Indian side (see India FEMA section).
Managing and Reducing L-1 Visa Costs
Verify Employer Size: Ensure you qualify for the "Small Employer" reduced filing fee ($695) and the reduced Asylum Program Fee ($300) if you have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Reduced fees roughly halve the USCIS cost of an initial petition.
Limit translations to the portions of foreign documents that are actually needed for the filing, while making sure the translated excerpts are complete enough to support the petition.
Avoid RFEs. Re-filing or responding to a Request for Evidence (RFE) can double legal costs. Using experienced counsel the first time is the most effective way to minimize total expenditure.
Sequence premium processing carefully. Premium processing only buys USCIS adjudicative speed; it does not buy a consular appointment. Where the consular post (e.g., New Delhi or Mumbai) has long wait times, premium processing at USCIS does not necessarily change the date the applicant can actually start work in the U.S.
Costs can change with very little notice. While this guide is accurate when published, costs can change. Always check the USCIS website to confirm costs: USCIS Filing Fees and the Form G-1055 fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
General L-1 Cost Questions
How much does an L-1 visa cost in total for a new office?
USCIS government fees for an initial petition by a standard employer total around $2,485, plus $2,965 if premium processing is used, plus per-applicant consular costs (roughly $479 per person before any reciprocity). Legal and business plan fees typically add $13,000–$45,000+. See the Total Cost Scenarios table for full breakdowns. The U.S. office lease and operational equipment are separate (and recoverable) capital costs.
Who is responsible for paying L-1 visa costs?
The U.S. employer pays the USCIS petition fees. The employee typically covers personal consular costs (MRV fee, reciprocity if any, Visa Integrity Fee). Either party may pay premium processing.
Is the Asylum Program Fee required for L-1 extensions?
Yes. The Asylum Program Fee applies to each qualifying Form I-129 filing, subject to the current USCIS fee rules and any small employer ($300) or nonprofit ($0) discount.
Is the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee required on every L-1 filing?
No. The $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee is required only on initial L-1 petitions and on employer changes. It is not required on extensions of stay with the same employer, and is not required when an applicant changes between L-1A and L-1B with the same employer.
Does the L-1 visa have a "reciprocity" fee?
In some cases. The L visa reciprocity fee is $0 for Indian and Singaporean nationals, $59 for Andorrans, and $1,775 for Australians, among others. Reciprocity is separate from the $205 MRV fee and the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which apply regardless of reciprocity.
For Indian Founders & CEOs
What does an Indian L-1 applicant actually pay at the consular stage in 2026?
Even though the L visa reciprocity fee for Indian nationals is $0, Indian L-1 applicants still pay the $205 MRV processing fee, the $250 Visa Integrity Fee at issuance (under H.R. 1 / OBBBA), and the $24 I-94 fee on entry — roughly $479 per applicant. The same amount applies per L-2 dependent.
Can my Indian company pay the L-1 visa filing fees in USD from India?
Yes. The U.S. employer (the U.S. subsidiary or affiliate) typically pays USCIS petition fees in USD. If the U.S. entity is newly formed and not yet funded, the Indian parent can capitalise the U.S. entity through the FEMA Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) route via its Authorised Dealer (AD Category-I) bank, and the U.S. entity then pays USCIS. Indian companies cannot use LRS for this — LRS is for resident individuals only.
Can I personally fund the U.S. office under LRS?
Yes, up to USD 250,000 per financial year per PAN, under LRS. Form A2 declaration is required at the AD bank. TCS at 20% applies on amounts above ₹10 lakh per FY for investment-like transfers — recoverable in your ITR. Many Indian founders combine LRS contributions across adult family members, each with their own $250,000 cap and separate PAN.
Is GST charged on the L-1 visa attorney fees?
Depends on the billing structure. Fees billed by a U.S.-based firm to the U.S. employer are not subject to Indian GST. Fees billed by an India-based firm to an India-based client are subject to 18% GST under SAC 9982. Where a U.S. firm bills an Indian client directly, the supply may be classified as import of services and attract reverse-charge GST on the Indian recipient.
I had an H-1B. Does the time on H-1B count against my L-1 caps?
Yes. The seven-year L-1A cap and five-year L-1B cap are calculated inclusive of any prior time spent in H-1B status, per 8 CFR 214.2(l)(12). Indian applicants with extensive H-1B history should plan accordingly — and consider whether the EB-1C green card path is the better long-term route.
Can my spouse work in the U.S. on an L-2 visa?
Yes. L-2 spouses are work-authorised on entry under 8 CFR 274a.12(a)(18); the I-94 issued on entry is itself proof of work authorisation, so no separate EAD card is needed to start work.
How long does an Indian L-1 case take from start to U.S. arrival?
Typical timeline with premium processing: 2–4 weeks petition prep, 15 business days at USCIS, 2–6 weeks for consular appointment (Hyderabad / Kolkata often faster than Delhi / Mumbai), 7–14 working days for visa stamping. Total: roughly 8–14 weeks. Without premium processing, add several months.
Can an Indian L-1 applicant interview at a third-country post (e.g., Singapore or Vietnam)?
Generally no, since 6 September 2025. The State Department directs L visa applicants to apply at a post in their country of nationality or legal residence. Indian residents must apply at one of the five U.S. posts in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata). Third-country processing is restricted to narrow humanitarian or foreign-policy exceptions.
Country-Specific L-1 Guides
Davies & Associates operates dedicated country sites for the markets where we have the deepest practice. If you are based in, or transferring from, one of the following countries, the country-specific guide will cover local funding, tax, and consular nuances in addition to the general L-1 cost framework on this page.
Vietnam: our Vietnamese site at usimmigrationadvisor.vn handles L-1 transfers from Vietnamese-headquartered businesses, particularly through our Ho Chi Minh City office.
The cost framework on this page applies in all jurisdictions; the country-specific pages cover funding (FEMA / LRS / RBI for India, UK source-of-funds for British citizens, MAS / IRAS for Singapore), local tax considerations, and the consular practice at each post.
Disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes only. Fees and regulations are subject to frequent change. Always verify the latest figures on the USCIS Fee Schedule and the State Department reciprocity tables, and consult with a qualified attorney before filing.
Planning for permanent residence? L-1 visa holders often transition to a green card through an employer-sponsored petition. Learn more in our complete guide for Form I-140.
About the Author
Mark I. Davies, Esq.
Chairman of Davies & Associates; focused on business immigration strategy and complex consular filings.
JD, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. MBA, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Admitted to practice in Georgia (USA), Georgia State Bar. Registered Solicitor (UK) with the SRA (SRA ID: 384468), Member Law Society of England & Wales. AILA Member.
Mark has more than 15 years of experience advising multinational employers and high-net-worth individuals on L-1, E-2, EB-1C, and EB-5 cases. He lectures at AILA, the American Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and speaks regularly at global investment immigration conferences. As both a UK solicitor and a US attorney, Mark leads the firm's UK practice and the Singapore practice.
Reviewed by: Richard Latta, Esq., Senior Immigration Attorney, Davies & Associates. Indian-side compliance reviewed by: our India team in Mumbai and Bangalore.
We assist with complex L-1 and other business immigration matters, including cases involving new offices, cross border corporate structures, and difficult documentation issues.
Several lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand.
Individual seeking 'Impossible' TN Visa
D&A was very detail-oriented and very thorough in what they did. They worked on my case 24/7 and were very patient in answering all my questions.
E-2 Visa Client
My case felt complex but D&A managed the whole process carefully and helped me move seamlessly from one stage to the next.
E2 + CBI Client
D&A was my guiding light through the entire EB-5 process.
EB-5 Visa Client
I would definitely be a big advocate for the rest of my life for anyone wanting to explore the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme leading to the E-2 visa. The most important thing is a good team behind you. With Davies & Associates, you're in safe hands... you need someone who can support you on the ground and, again, you are well taken care of by D&A. The people are really warm, very helpful and quite open-minded when it comes to business... Not to mention as a passport it's great from a travel perspective... It's just 4 to 5 hours from New York.
Grenada CBI + E2 Visa Client
The entire process of getting an EB-5 visa is handled in a professional way by Mark Davies and his team. EB-5 is a wonderful option for anyone considering moving to the United States if you have the means. I was hoping to use the H-1B route for my children, but it became unreliable and so I looked to the EB-5 visa instead. It is great for anyone who has the resources. Mark gives you the first meetings himself which gives you great comfort. Both Mark and Sanjay are abundantly available and I even had the pleasure of hosting them at my house.
Parent of 2 EB-5 visa holders
I'm in the process of extending my L-1 visa. I submitted a few questions regarding my case, and he contacted me back almost immediately, both by email and telephone. Unlike other attorneys I met before, he gave me the impression of knowing off the top of his head what kind of visa I have, and what actions had to be taken to extend it. He is very thorough and clear regarding the process and what to expect in terms of timelines and issues that may arise. He is constantly in contact, so you definitely know he's working on your case.
L-1B Visa Holder
Mark Davies is a joy to work with. His extensive knowledge, speedy response and attentive service took away all my fears of dealing with immigration and visa applications. He is very generous with his time in explaining every step along the way and I have already and will in the future recommend him to anybody who is looking for an immigration lawyer.
E2 Visa for Small Professional Business With International Offices
Davies & Associates assisted us with an immigration emergency involving my brother's fiancée who was outside the United States. They assisted us in a highly professional manner, working with the relevant US embassy, US immigration and the governments of two other countries. As a result of their efforts the individual involved is now working in the United States. While their knowledge of the law is exemplary what really distinguishes this firm and attorney Davies from any other firm we have worked with is their dedication to customer service and their unrivaled level of professionalism.
Complex Fiancée Visa Need Involving Multiple International Jurisdictions
Several lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand. I have recommended this firm to several friends and colleagues, they do an excellent job every time.
Individual Seeking 'Impossible' TN Visa
I was qualified as a physician in a foreign country. Being on a J1 visa I was facing having to leave the United States and return to my home country. Davies & Associates secured one of only 30 J1 visa waivers available in my State, allowing me to work for a US hospital and remain in the United States.
Doctor Seeking J1 Visa Waiver
I am very satisfied with the services Mark Davies has provided me. He has a very extensive knowledge in immigration laws and has a thorough approach to any case.
Looking to relocate or having trouble with a visa application?
We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas. We solve the most complex immigration problems for business, investors, individuals and families.
