Can I maintain the L-1 if I am transferred to another company within the same group?

The L-1 visa is widely used for employees transferred within multinational companies, allowing executives, managers, or professionals with specialized knowledge to perform their duties in the United States. It enables a foreign company to transfer a professional to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in the US. But what happens when there is a transfer to another company within the same group?

In situations where the professional intends to keep the L-1 status even when moving from one entity to another within the same corporate group, it is essential to verify if the new company also qualifies under the L-1 visa criteria. Usually, to maintain the status, the new company will need to prove that it maintains the necessary corporate relationships (such as subsidiary, branch, or affiliate) and that there is indeed a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role to be performed.

Additionally, a new petition may be required to reflect this change, ensuring that all eligibility requirements are met.

It is very important to follow the United States immigration laws and regulations throughout this process. A careful analysis and a well-founded petition are essential to avoid future problems. If there are doubts about the best way to proceed, seeking guidance from specialized sources and reliable consultancies can be a good practice, always remembering that promises of guaranteed results do not always reflect the reality of bureaucratic procedures and the detailed analyses carried out by immigration authorities.

Maintaining compliance with immigration rules is fundamental to preserving your status and avoiding complications. Therefore, make sure that all documentation and processes are in order, preventing unnecessary risks while you continue your career in the United States.

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.