Can I do an internship or training at another company while on L-1?

As a general rule, the L-1 visa does not permit internships or training at another company. It is an intracompany transfer visa: it authorizes the professional to work for the company that sponsored the petition (or an affiliate included in the process), in a role consistent with the international transfer.

For this reason, taking up a paid internship or training at a different company is typically understood as working for another employer, which falls outside the scope authorized by USCIS. Such activities may be viewed as a violation of the visa conditions and could affect immigration status.

There are, however, paths that are generally compatible:

• Training and development programs offered by the sponsoring company itself.
• Courses or educational programs that are strictly academic in nature, with no employment relationship with third parties.

Since the line between professional development and unauthorized work can be subtle, the best approach is to verify each situation with USCIS or with an immigration professional before accepting any activity outside the sponsoring company.

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.