📌 Blanket Petition Program Guide

What is the blanket petition program?

The Blanket petition is a program that allows qualifying multinational companies to pre-establish the required intracompany relationship in advance of filing individual L-1 visa petitions. Once approved, this enables the company to transfer eligible employees to the U.S. more efficiently, without the need to file separate L-1 petitions for each employee with USCIS.

Is your organization eligible?

To qualify for the Blanket petition program, your company must meet the following criteria:

• Have an office in the United States that has been doing business for one year or more.
• Have three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates.
• Along with the other qualifying organizations, meet one of the following:
  • Have obtained at least 10 L-1 approvals during the previous 12-month period.
  • Have U.S. subsidiaries or affiliates with combined annual sales of at least $25 million.
  • Have a U.S. workforce of at least 1,000 employees.

If your company doesn’t meet these benchmarks, individual L-1 petitions may still be a viable route. Learn more about this in our dedicated L-1 visa overview, which breaks down each category and eligibility criteria.

How does the L-1 blanket process work?

Once the Blanket petition is approved by USCIS, the employer can transfer eligible employees to the U.S. without filing individual L-1 petitions. Instead, the employer completes Form I-129S for each employee, who then presents it along with the Blanket approval notice at a U.S. consulate.

Key requirements for blanket petition approval

• For the Company:
  • Engaged in commercial trade or services.
  • U.S. office operational for at least one year.
  • At least three domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates.
  • Meet one of the following:
    • 10 L-1 approvals in the past 12 months.
    • $25 million in annual U.S. sales.
    • 1,000 U.S. employees.
• For the Employee:
  • Employed abroad by the company for at least one continuous year within the preceding three years.
  • Entering the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.

If you’re also planning long-term assignments, it may be relevant to explore options like the Green Card for executives or managers as part of your global mobility policy.

Benefits of the blanket permit for multinational employers

• Streamlined Process: Reduces the need for individual petitions, saving time and resources.
• Flexibility: Allows for quick transfer of multiple employees to meet business needs.
• Predictability: Provides a more predictable and efficient process for intracompany transfers.

Next steps: preparing your company

To determine your eligibility and prepare a successful application, start by:

1. Mapping your global corporate structure
2. Gathering proof of business activity across entities
3. Documenting past L-1 approvals
4. Establishing an internal system for tracking assignees

Working with an experienced partner like Corporate Visa Solutions can streamline the entire process. From eligibility assessment to application support, our legal and mobility teams help ensure your company stays compliant while moving talent efficiently.

Ready to scale your U.S. presence? Contact us to assess your eligibility and start your Blanket permit journey with confidence.