Can I live in one state and work in another with L-1?

In practice, this is generally possible. Once you are legally authorized to work in the United States with the L-1, there is no restriction on which state you choose to live in. Many people opt to reside where quality of life or cost of living is more favorable and commute or travel for work.

The key point is your work location, not your place of residence. The L-1 authorization is tied to your employment and the specific work location designated in the petition your employer filed. It is that work location that must reflect the actual situation.

If there is a significant change in the conditions or the location where you actually work, it is essential that the company assess the situation and, if necessary, arrange for the appropriate update with the immigration authorities to keep everything in compliance.

Since each case has its own specifics and rules can change, it is worth being transparent with your employer and consulting the updated guidance from USCIS or a specialist whenever any change occurs.

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.