Can I combine L-1 with DACA?

These are two distinct things that cannot be stacked as if they were overlapping benefits. The L-1 is a work visa for employees transferred by multinational companies to an office, branch, or subsidiary in the United States. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is a deferred action program that offers protection from deportation and work authorization to those who arrived as children without a regular immigration status.

The core difference is one of nature: DACA does not confer formal immigration status, but rather a temporary and limited protection. The L-1, by contrast, has its own criteria tied to the position and the company’s international operations, and those criteria do not contemplate a combination with DACA.

In addition, authorities review the applicant’s background history. Having been under DACA may signal a prior period without regular status, which can sometimes bring additional challenges when another immigration petition is analyzed.

Because every situation is unique, the ideal approach is to assess your background on a case-by-case basis with a specialist and review the official USCIS guidance before making any decision.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.