Gale vs. Deel Immigration for L-1A New Office Petitions

The L-1A visa lets multinational companies transfer executives and managers from a foreign office to the U.S., including to establish a new U.S. office^[1][2]. The new office path has stricter initial requirements and a one-year approval period, after which the employer must prove the U.S. entity is doing business before USCIS grants extensions^[1][3]. Gale is a U.S. immigration specialist that pairs technology with independent attorneys^[4]. Deel Immigration offers visa services within its global HR and employer-of-record platform^[5][4].

This comparison examines how each handles L-1A new office petitions, including the evidence requirements under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(3)(v), the provider models, pricing transparency and who each service fits^[4][3].

What does an L-1A new office petition require?

A new office is an organization doing business in the U.S. through a parent, branch, affiliate or subsidiary for less than one year^[3]. USCIS requires three categories of evidence for new office petitions^[1][3]:

• Physical premises: Sufficient physical premises to house the new office must be secured^[1][3].
• Qualifying foreign employment: The beneficiary must have been employed for one continuous year in the three years preceding filing in an executive or managerial capacity, and the proposed employment must involve executive or managerial authority over the new operation^[3][1].
• Future organizational plan: The intended U.S. operation, within one year of approval, will support an executive or managerial position, supported by information regarding the organizational structure of the foreign entity^[1][3].

The petition may be approved for a period not to exceed one year^[6][3]. After that year, the petitioner must demonstrate the U.S. and foreign entities are still qualifying organizations and the U.S. office is doing business to extend the petition^[3][7][6]. Extensions may be granted in increments of up to two years^[6].

How do Gale and Deel Immigration compare for L-1A new office cases?

What is Gale's model for L-1A new office petitions?

Gale pairs purpose-built immigration case software with experienced independent attorneys^[4]. An independent immigration attorney reviews every Gale case^[8]. Gale's flat fee (platform fee plus attorney legal fee) for an L-1 new petition is $8,500^[9]. RFE responses are included^[9]. Government fees are paid separately at cost^[9].

Gale's platform structures intake and document collection around the physical premises, qualifying year abroad and one-year organizational plan required under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(3)(v)^[3][1]. An attorney confirms the corporate relationship qualifies under the regulation and reviews whether the proposed role reads as executive or managerial, the most common RFE trigger in L-1A cases.

Gale publishes its fees per filing and includes full attorney review, RFE response, case tracking and integrations^[9][4].

What is Deel Immigration's approach to L-1 petitions?

Deel Immigration offers visa sponsorship, applications and compliance support as part of Deel's global payroll, HR and employer-of-record platform^[4][5]. Deel's website describes handling visa processing with "accelerated visa application support service" and "employee immigration experts"^[5].

Companies already using Deel for international hiring may find it convenient to add immigration services to the same contract^[4]. Deel's website does not publish per-filing fees or details about attorney involvement for specific visa types^[5]. Companies considering Deel Immigration for L-1A cases should confirm directly with Deel which U.S. visa categories it supports, how attorneys are involved, what pricing includes and how extensions are handled after the one-year initial approval^[4].

How do the models differ for new office evidence requirements?

New office petitions require evidence in three areas defined in 8 CFR 214.2(l)(3)(v): secured physical premises, one continuous year of prior executive or managerial employment abroad, and that the U.S. operation will support an executive or managerial position within one year^[3][1]. The petition must also show a qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities^[3].

Gale's software collects and organizes these documents through structured intake. An independent attorney reviews the corporate structure, the beneficiary's qualifying year and the one-year organizational plan before filing^[9][8]. Gale's $8,500 flat fee covers the petition and RFE response^[9].

Deel's website describes expediting visa processing but does not detail how it handles the L-1A new office evidence categories^[5]. Companies should ask Deel how it structures the premises documentation, the organizational plan and the corporate relationship evidence, and what its fee includes.

What about the one-year extension requirement?

New office petitions may be approved for up to one year^[3][6]. To request an extension, the petitioner must file a new petition showing the U.S. and foreign entities are still qualifying organizations and the U.S. office is doing business^[7][3][6].

This means new office cases involve at least two filings: the initial petition and the one-year extension. Employers planning L-1A new office transfers should confirm with their immigration provider whether both filings are priced separately and how the one-year extension evidence is prepared.

Gale's pricing lists the L-1 extension fee as $8,500^[9]. Companies considering Deel Immigration should confirm directly with Deel how it prices the one-year extension and what it includes^[4].

Who should choose Gale vs. Deel Immigration for L-1A new office cases?

Choose Gale if^[4]:

• U.S. immigration is core to your hiring strategy and you want specialist expertise in employment-based visas and green cards
• You prioritize transparent, published per-case fees
• You want independent attorney review on every case

Consider Deel Immigration if^[4]:

• You already use Deel for global payroll or as an employer of record and want to consolidate immigration services into the same contract
• Confirming Deel's supported categories, pricing and service model directly meets your needs

The L-1A visa page covers eligibility, timelines and government fees, and Gale's full comparison with Deel Immigration describes how the providers approach other U.S. visa categories.

What to do next

If you are planning an L-1A new office petition:

1. Confirm the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. entities under 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(G)^[3].
2. Secure physical premises for the U.S. office^[1][3].
3. Document the beneficiary's qualifying year of executive or managerial employment abroad in the three years before filing^[1][3].
4. Prepare evidence showing the U.S. office will support an executive or managerial position within one year, including the organizational structure of the foreign entity^[1][3].
5. Compare providers: if U.S. immigration specialist depth and transparent per-case fees matter, review Gale's L-1 service; if consolidating into an existing Deel contract matters most, confirm Deel's coverage and pricing directly^[4].

This comparison reflects Gale's review as of October 10, 2026^[4]. Deel Immigration's offerings and pricing change, so confirm details directly with Deel before deciding^[4].

This article is for general information only and isn't legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; speak with an attorney about your specific situation. Read how we research, fact-check and approve articles in our editorial policy.