Read the general business expansion overview
A Saint-Jean-Baptiste company may give the proposed U.S. transferee authority to sign particular documents. Explain the scope of that authority and the actual role rather than treating one signature permission as a complete L-1A assessment. Hypothetical example: an avalanche-rescue probe-component maker whose transferee will sign orders but also assemble first shipments. A first review assembles the dated records, identifies which person can confirm each material fact, and separates completed evidence from an assumption. It then produces a concrete decision about sequencing: obtain the missing record, revise the proposed arrangement, or pause before making an irreversible commitment. The qualifying foreign employment must be one continuous year within the preceding three years. L-1A is generally capped at seven years and L-1B at five years; earlier L time should be assessed before an extension strategy. The file should show not only the favourable fact, but also the document that fixes its date, source, and practical consequence.
Identify the decisions behind the signatures
L-1A concerns a primarily managerial or executive role. Record what the person decides, what requires another approval and who performs the ordinary operational work. Hypothetical example: an employee may sign routine purchase documents but not control the business function described in the petition. The duties and authority must be stated accurately. The next review should preserve the dated source document, identify who can confirm it, and record the consequence if it remains incomplete; a label alone does not settle the point.
Apply new-office conditions to the actual launch
For U.S. doing business of less than one year, new-office L-1A needs sufficient premises, the qualifying continuous foreign managerial or executive year within the relevant three years and evidence supporting the U.S. role within one year. A different new-office L-1B proposal needs specialized knowledge, qualifying employment and the premises and financial ability to pay and begin business. The next review should preserve the dated source document, identify who can confirm it, and record the consequence if it remains incomplete; a label alone does not settle the point.
Keep the broader organization and temporary assignment supported
The qualifying relationship and required international business remain necessary; registration is not itself doing business. Initial new-office approval is limited to one year. Owners or major stockholders also need temporary U.S. services and subsequent foreign-assignment evidence. Keep actual decisions and delegations documented for later review rather than expanding their meaning after the fact. The next review should preserve the dated source document, identify who can confirm it, and record the consequence if it remains incomplete; a label alone does not settle the point.
What else is on your mind?
Does being a business owner or director qualify me for L-1A?What employment history should an L-1 transfer review cover?What makes a new-office L-1A case different?Why does an L-2 spouse’s admission record matter for work?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.