H-1B Specialty Occupation vs L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialized Knowledge)

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to your current employment situation. Both require employer sponsorship and offer paths to permanent residency, but H-1B works if you're seeking a new job in the US, while L-1B only works if you're already employed by a multinational company with a US office.

1. 01

   Current employer situation

   Pick H-1B

   Choose H-1B if you need a new US job or your current employer has no US presence.

   Pick L-1B

   Choose L-1B if you already work for a company with offices in both your home country and the US.

2. 02

   Cost and processing speed

   Pick H-1B

   H-1B costs $2460 and takes 3-6 months to process.

   Pick L-1B

   L-1B is cheaper at $1385 and can process in as little as 1 month.

3. 03

   Prior work experience required

   Pick H-1B

   H-1B has no minimum work experience requirement.

   Pick L-1B

   L-1B requires at least 1 year of experience with your current employer.

4. 04

   Competition and approval odds

   Pick H-1B

   H-1B faces an annual lottery system with competitive odds.

   Pick L-1B

   L-1B has no lottery; approval depends on meeting employer transfer criteria.