Explain the actual interim duties, dates and support for assessment. Do not describe a fully supported management role as already operating when the work is still performed personally.
Use the applicable framework for the real stage
Have the actual role and any relevant new-office or other requirements assessed. Planned staff do not automatically establish present support, and an internal hiring date does not determine immigration permission.
File once the year abroad, the current organizational chart and the interim Canadian management are documented, and allow for adjudication time or premium processing before the intended start date. A new-office petition receives only a one-year initial approval and should demonstrate premises and an operation capable of supporting primarily managerial or executive duties during that year. Periods spent working in the United States for the same employer are excluded from the twelve months, which surprises people whose job already involves regular southbound travel. For a new office, the initial period lasts one year, the filing must show sufficient premises and financial ability to remunerate the beneficiary and commence doing business, and the business must develop enough to sustain qualifying management; the L-1A limit is seven years. A common timing error is filing around a polished future chart while employment agreements or reporting changes still have unresolved effective dates.