Your company is opening a U.S. office. The new office L-1 gets your leadership here.

Foreign companies establishing their first U.S. office can use the L-1 new office petition to transfer an executive or manager to set up operations. The initial approval is limited to one year, with extensions based on demonstrated business growth.

Overview

Foreign companies establishing their first U.S. office can use the L-1 new office petition to transfer an executive or manager to set up operations. The initial approval is limited to one year, with extensions based on demonstrated business growth.

This page provides detailed legal information about new office l-1 petition as it applies to permanent residents in the United States. Understanding the requirements, deadlines, and procedures ensures your immigration status remains secure. All content is authored by Jayson Elliott, J.D., a California-licensed attorney, and is current as of April 2026.

USCIS is the agency that processes green-card renewal and replacement. While the typical filing is uncomplicated, certain situations — criminal records, conditional status, lost or stolen cards, or a parallel naturalization case — introduce complexity. Knowing the rules, expected timelines, and likely problem areas helps avoid delays and protects LPR status during processing.

What to do about new office l-1 petition

Your Rights Under California Law

Permanent residents have substantial rights under federal law.

Right to continued status

Card expiration is not status expiration. The card evidences LPR status; the status is independent. Permanent residency lasts until it’s formally revoked, whether through abandonment, removal proceedings, or rescission.

Right to work

An expired L-1 visa with a valid I-90 receipt notice remains acceptable proof of employment authorization. Employers cannot require reverification or refuse to accept this documentation.

Right to travel

An expired green card paired with your receipt notice supports international travel and reentry. If you’ll be outside the U.S. for more than a year, file Form I-131 (reentry permit) before departure.

How California Law Applies

Statutory authority for green-card renewal lies in the INA, implemented through regulations at 8 CFR § 264.5. USCIS adjudicates Form I-90 applications by checking applicant identity, prior LPR status, and the presence of disqualifying factors.

USCIS’s 36-month receipt extension took effect September 10, 2024, replacing the prior 24-month and 12-month extension regimes. It applies to every properly filed I-90 renewal and supports continued work authorization and international travel while the case is pending.

Different rules apply to conditional permanent residents. INA § 216 covers marriage-based conditional status, and INA § 216A covers investor-based status; both require petitions to remove conditions within the 90-day window leading up to card expiration.

The Legal Process

Form I-90 begins the renewal — file it online at uscis.gov or by mail to the Phoenix lockbox. USCIS’s I-797C receipt notice, issued on acceptance, serves as proof of LPR status while the case is pending.

Adjudication times for Form I-90 range from 8 to 14 months, varying with workload and service-center assignment. Premium processing isn’t available. Status can be checked online using the receipt number.

What Documentation Matters

Key documents for L-1 visa include:

• Current or expired L-1 visa — Front and back copy. If lost, submit a police report or written explanation.
• Government-issued photo ID — Passport, driver’s license, or state ID with name, date of birth, photo, and signature.
• Filing fee — $415 online or $465 by mail. Fee waivers available with Form I-912.
• Name change evidence — If applicable: marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order with certified English translation if in a foreign language.
• Form I-797C receipt notice — After filing, save this document. It extends your card’s validity for 36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions