Can I live in Canada and cross the border daily to work in the US on an L-1?

There is no explicit prohibition against living in Canada and crossing the border every day to work in the United States on an L-1. That said, this arrangement requires careful attention, because the visa was designed for the transfer of executives, managers, and specialized knowledge professionals who work in person at the US operation.

The key issue is demonstrating that work consistently takes place on US soil, in line with the role approved in the petition. Daily border crossings may draw scrutiny from immigration authorities and require clear evidence that duties are being carried out in the United States.

There is also a dual layer of rules to consider:

• The conditions of the L-1 itself and the tie to the US company.
• Canadian residency and entry regulations, which follow Canadian law.
• The record of entries and exits logged at each border crossing.

Because this situation involves two countries and an arrangement outside the norm, it must be assessed on an individual basis. It is worth confirming the current rules and speaking with an immigration specialist before adopting this setup under the L-1.

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.