Can I do an internship in the US on an L-1?

No. The L-1 is an intracompany transfer visa, designed for people who already work for the company abroad and are moving to fill an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge role at a US entity. It was not created for internships or academic development programs.

The L-1 assumes an established career within the company and a defined role to be performed in the US. An internship, by nature, serves a different purpose tied to training and learning, which falls outside the scope of this visa.

For those specifically seeking an internship or exchange experience, other categories tend to be more appropriate, such as the J-1, commonly associated with cultural exchange and training and internship programs. The right choice depends on your goals and your profile.

Before deciding, it is worth confirming which visa fits your situation through official sources or with a specialist, and avoiding offers that seem too good to be true.

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.