Can I enter on an L-1 and work for a foreign company at the same time?

The L-1 is an intracompany transfer visa: it allows executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge to move from an affiliated entity abroad to a branch, affiliate, or subsidiary in the United States. By definition, the status remains tied to the sponsoring employer.

This means the L-1 work authorization is specific: it covers functions at the company that filed the petition and at entities connected to that sponsorship. Working simultaneously for a foreign company that is not part of that relationship tends to be interpreted as activity outside what the visa authorizes.

Engaging in unauthorized work can carry serious consequences, such as jeopardizing immigration status and creating difficulties for future applications. Keeping activities within the scope of the sponsorship is what preserves the visa’s validity.

• The L-1 authorizes work tied to the employer that sponsored the transfer.
• Activities for third parties with no connection to the sponsorship may violate its terms.
• Situations involving multiple employment relationships deserve individual analysis before any decision is made.

If you intend to maintain any work for a company abroad, evaluate your situation with a specialist and confirm what is permitted with USCIS before taking action.

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.