L-1 Blanket Petition in Chino Hills: Faster Employee Transfers for Companies

Quick Answer

For multinational companies in Chino Hills and the Inland Empire that frequently transfer employees to the United States, an L-1 Blanket Petition offers a faster, more efficient process. Instead of filing individual petitions for each employee, approved companies can transfer qualifying managers, executives, and specialized knowledge workers more quickly.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What is an L-1 Blanket Petition?

An L-1 Blanket Petition is a pre-approved authorization that allows qualifying multinational companies to transfer employees to the U.S. without filing individual petitions with USCIS for each transfer.

Key Benefits:
• Faster processing - employees apply directly at U.S. consulates
• No individual USCIS petition required for each employee
• Valid for 3 years, renewable indefinitely
• Covers L-1A (managers/executives) and L-1B (specialized knowledge)
• Multiple employees can transfer under one blanket approval

Who Qualifies for L-1 Blanket Petitions?

Not every company can use the blanket petition process. Your company must meet these requirements:

•Engaged in commercial trade or services
•Has a U.S. office that has been doing business for at least 1 year
•Has 3 or more domestic and foreign offices, subsidiaries, or affiliates
•Meets ONE of these criteria: (a) combined annual sales of at least $25 million, OR (b) U.S. workforce of at least 1,000 employees, OR (c) has obtained approval for at least 10 L-1 petitions in the past 12 months

L-1A vs L-1B Under Blanket Petitions

Blanket petitions cover both types of L-1 employees:

Category	L-1A Manager/Executive	L-1B Specialized Knowledge
Role	Manages organization, department, or function	Has special knowledge of company products/procedures
Initial Stay	Up to 3 years	Up to 3 years
Maximum Stay	7 years total	5 years total
Green Card Path	EB-1C (no labor certification)	EB-2 or EB-3 (PERM required)
Blanket Eligible	Yes	Yes (with restrictions)

Requirements for Transferred Employees

Each employee transferred under the blanket petition must:

•Have worked for the foreign affiliate for at least 1 continuous year in the past 3 years
•Qualify as a manager, executive, or specialized knowledge worker
•Be coming to work in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity
•Meet all standard L-1 visa requirements
•Not have reached the maximum 5 or 7-year L-1 limit

The Blanket Petition Process

Here's how the L-1 blanket process works for Chino Hills companies:

Step	What Happens	Timeline
1. File I-129S	Company files blanket petition with USCIS	Day 1
2. USCIS Approval	USCIS reviews and approves blanket	2-4 months (or 15 days premium)
3. Blanket Valid	Approval valid for 3 years	3-year validity
4. Employee Transfer	Employee applies at U.S. consulate with I-129S	Varies by consulate
5. Visa Interview	Consular officer reviews and approves	Same day or shortly after
6. Entry to U.S.	Employee enters in L-1 status	Upon arrival

Individual Employee Documentation

When transferring an employee under the blanket, prepare these documents:

For the Employee:
• Valid passport
• Completed DS-160 visa application
• Form I-129S petition (completed by employer)
• Evidence of 1 year employment with foreign affiliate
• Job description for U.S. position
• Organizational charts (foreign and U.S.)
• Evidence of qualifying relationship between companies

The I-129S is submitted directly to the consulate, not to USCIS.

Processing Times and Premium Processing

Current timelines for L-1 blanket petitions:

• Standard Processing: 2-4 months for blanket approval
• Premium Processing: 15 calendar days (additional $2,805 fee)
• Consular Processing: Varies by location (typically 1-4 weeks for interview)

Premium processing is available for the initial blanket petition approval and can significantly speed up the process for companies needing quick transfers.

Blanket Petition Renewal

L-1 blanket petitions must be renewed to continue transfers:

• Initial approval: 3 years
• Renewals: 3 years each (indefinitely)
• File renewal before expiration
• Include updated company information
• Show continued qualifying relationship

Plan ahead - don't let your blanket expire while employees are in the transfer process.

Advantages Over Individual L-1 Petitions

Why Chino Hills companies choose blanket petitions:

Speed:
• Skip USCIS processing for each employee
• Consular processing is often faster
• Multiple employees can transfer simultaneously

Cost Efficiency:
• One filing fee covers many transfers
• Reduced attorney fees per employee
• Predictable immigration costs

Flexibility:
• Transfer employees as business needs arise
• No waiting for individual petition approval
• Easier workforce planning

Common Blanket Petition Issues

Watch out for these potential problems:

• Specialized Knowledge Scrutiny: Consulates may more closely examine L-1B specialized knowledge claims under blankets
• New Office Limitations: New U.S. offices may not qualify for blanket petitions until established
• Relationship Documentation: Keep corporate structure documents current
• Employee Eligibility: Ensure each employee truly meets the 1-year requirement
• Job Duties: Document managerial or specialized nature clearly

Chino Hills L-1 Blanket Services

SoCal Immigration Services helps Inland Empire companies with:

•Determining blanket petition eligibility
•Preparing and filing Form I-129S blanket petition
•Premium processing requests for expedited approval
•Individual employee transfer documentation
•Organizational chart preparation
•Consular interview preparation
•Blanket petition renewals
•Green card planning for L-1 employees

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:How long does it take to get an L-1 blanket petition approved?

A: Standard processing takes 2-4 months. With premium processing ($2,805 additional fee), USCIS will adjudicate within 15 calendar days. Once approved, individual employees can apply directly at consulates.

Q:Can any company get an L-1 blanket petition?

A: No. Companies must have at least 3 offices (domestic and foreign), plus meet one of these criteria: $25 million in combined annual sales, 1,000+ U.S. employees, or 10+ L-1 approvals in the past year.

Q:How long can employees stay in the U.S. under a blanket L-1?

A: L-1A managers and executives can stay up to 7 years total. L-1B specialized knowledge workers can stay up to 5 years total. These limits apply regardless of whether the petition was individual or blanket.

Q:Is the blanket petition or individual petition better for my company?

A: If you transfer employees frequently and meet the requirements, blanket petitions are usually more efficient. For companies with occasional transfers, individual petitions may be more practical.

Q:Can an employee's family come with them under the blanket L-1?

A: Yes. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can receive L-2 dependent status. L-2 spouses are eligible for work authorization. Family members apply at the consulate along with the L-1 employee.

Q:What happens if our blanket petition expires?

A: You cannot transfer new employees until the blanket is renewed. Employees already in L-1 status remain valid until their individual status expires. File for renewal before expiration to avoid gaps.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Chino Hills and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: January 19, 2026Last Updated: January 19, 2026

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