Can I do an internship in the USA with an L-1?

The L-1 visa is intended to facilitate the transfer of executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge from a parent company outside the United States to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the US. In other words, this visa is generally granted to people who already work for the same company and are being assigned to specific roles in the country, not for internship activities.

Therefore, it is important to understand that the L-1 visa was not created for internship purposes or academic development programs. It allows those who already have an established career within a company to be transferred to perform activities already defined by the employment contract.

If your interest is to do an internship while in the United States, another type of visa might be more appropriate, such as the J-1 visa, which is commonly used for cultural exchanges and internship programs. Always remember that it is fundamental to follow immigration law and research reliable sources before making any decision.

If there are doubts about which visa is ideal for your situation, it is recommended to seek guidance from immigration professionals and pay attention to information provided by official sources, avoiding quick-result promises or solutions that seem too good to be true. Seeking proper guidance will ensure your plans are aligned with US laws and help you avoid unnecessary risks during the process.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.