For new-office L-1A, the operation must support the qualifying position within one year of approval. Initial approval is limited to one year and extension evidence concerns actual operations.
Keep the plan accountable
A forecast should explain how the function will be managed as the enterprise begins business.
Start assembling the year-abroad and ownership evidence as soon as the deal is likely, because the petition can only be filed once the qualifying relationship actually exists and the U.S. entity is operating. In every case, verify one continuous year abroad within the prior three, the qualifying corporate relationship, continuing foreign business and primarily managerial or executive U.S. duties. Explain actual commitments, ordinary work allocation and expected managerial responsibilities without promising that commercial delays extend the authorized period. Initial L-1A approval is ordinarily up to three years for an established affiliate, with extensions to a maximum of seven years; track the total from the first admission. When the extension review asks what the operation actually spent on premises and staff, a folder already sorted by purpose answers in minutes rather than weeks.