US-bound mobility
Move your people into the US with a clear plan
Transferring a manager from abroad, hiring someone already on an H-1B, or bringing in a TN professional? You get the right route, a flat legal fee and two attorneys on each petition.
Last checked September 2026 · Sources
- Moves we handle
- Into the US only
- Main routes
- L-1, E-2, H-1B, O-1, TN
- Legal fees
- Flat, quoted before signing
- Attorneys per petition
- Two
What we handle
One job: getting your people to work in the US
We help with moves into the United States. That means US visas and petitions for people joining your US team, from abroad or from another US employer.
We do not have offices in other countries, and we do not handle immigration into other countries. If you also move people to the UK, Canada or elsewhere, keep your provider for those moves.
Licensed attorneys at an independent partner firm do all legal work. A partner-firm attorney confirms each person’s eligibility before anything is filed.
Routes
Which route fits which move
These are the main rules from USCIS. Your attorney checks the details for each person.
| Route | Who it fits | Key condition | How long | Legal fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-1A | Managers and executives from your company abroad | One continuous year with a related company abroad in the last 3 years | Up to 7 years total. New offices start with 1 year. | Quoted on request |
| L-1B | Staff with specialized knowledge of your company | Same one-year rule as L-1A | Up to 5 years total | Quoted on request |
| H-1B transfer | People already in H-1B status with another US employer | They can usually start once your petition is filed, if it is filed before their H-1B stay ends and they have not worked without permission | Generally up to 6 years total | Quoted on request |
| O-1A or O-1B | People with extraordinary ability | A US employer or US agent must file. No self-petition. | Up to 3 years first, then 1-year extensions | From $6,999 |
| E-2 | Nationals of treaty countries, in a treaty-country company | Employees must share the investor’s nationality and hold a key or essential role | Up to 2 years at a time, no limit on extensions | Treaty investor from $7,500 |
| TN | Citizens of Canada or Mexico in USMCA professions | A prearranged job with a US employer | Up to 3 years at first, and extensions are possible | Quoted on request |
Rules summarized from USCIS pages as of September 2026. E-3 and H-1B1 are quoted on request.
Good to know
Details that often change the plan
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L-1 needs a related company
Your US company must be a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the company abroad, and do business in the US and at least one other country.
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Blanket L can speed transfers
Qualifying companies can use a blanket L petition, so each transfer does not need its own USCIS petition.
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E-2 is often filed abroad
From outside the US, E-2 goes through a US embassy or consulate. Form I-129 is used only for someone already in the US, to change to E-2 or extend their stay.
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TN differs by country
Canadians can apply at a US port of entry with proof of citizenship, a letter from you describing the job, and proof of their qualifications. You can also file Form I-129 for them. Mexican citizens need a TN visa from a US embassy or consulate first.
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O-1 needs a petitioner
The person cannot file for themselves. Your company, or a US agent, files the petition.
How a move works
From first call to first day
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Tell us about the move
Who is moving, from where, and into what role.
-
Attorney picks the route
The lead attorney checks eligibility and writes a strategy memo. You get a flat fee before signing.
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Petition is prepared
The case team gathers documents. A second attorney reviews the petition before filing.
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Filing and follow-up
The partner firm files and tracks the case. If an RFE or NOID comes, the response is included.
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Visa stamping support
If the person needs a visa stamp abroad, the team helps them prepare.
Government fees
USCIS fees for these moves
From the USCIS fee schedule (G-1055, edition 09/09/26), as of September 2026. Paid to USCIS, separate from legal fees.
| Petition | USCIS fee |
|---|---|
| I-129 for L-1 | $1,385, plus a $500 fraud fee on most first petitions |
| I-129 for H-1B | $780 paper, $730 online, plus other H-1B fees |
| I-129 for O-1 | $1,055 |
| I-129 for E-2 or TN | $1,015 paper, $965 online |
| Asylum Program Fee | $600, or $300 with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, $0 for nonprofits |
| Premium processing (I-907) | $2,965. USCIS acts within 15 business days. The action may be an approval, a denial or a request for more evidence. |
Small employers and nonprofits pay lower I-129 fees. Some large H-1B and L-1 employers owe an extra $4,000 or $4,500. See the USCIS fee schedule.
FAQ
Questions about moving people
No. We only handle moves into the United States. We do not have offices or give legal services in other countries.
Often, yes. USCIS says an H-1B worker may start with a new employer once that employer properly files a non-frivolous petition, or on the start date in the petition, whichever is later. The petition must be filed before the worker’s H-1B stay ends, and the worker must not have worked without permission since they last entered the US. Your attorney confirms this fits the person’s situation.
Times vary. See USCIS processing times. With premium processing, USCIS acts on the petition within 15 business days. That action may be an approval, a denial or a request for more evidence.
Not with certainty. USCIS decides the petition, and a US consulate decides any visa stamp. Build in time and talk with your attorney before you commit to a date.
Family members may qualify for dependent status. For TN, for example, a spouse and unmarried children under 21 can get TD status, but TD spouses cannot work. Rules differ by route, so ask your attorney.
Sources · checked September 2026
- USCIS: L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager
- USCIS: L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge
- USCIS: H-1B Specialty Occupations
- USCIS: O-1 Visa
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part M, Ch. 3
- USCIS: E-2 Treaty Investors
- USCIS: TN USMCA Professionals
- USCIS Fee Schedule, Form G-1055 (edition 09/09/26)
- USCIS: How Do I Request Premium Processing?
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; a partner-firm attorney confirms what applies to you before anything is filed.
