Can I perform remote work for the foreign affiliate while on L-1?

The L-1 is an intracompany transfer visa, and its logic is straightforward: it authorizes you to work for the U.S. entity that sponsored the transfer. All activities under the visa must be tied to that American establishment, which is the one you were assigned to.

Providing services to the foreign affiliate, even remotely, enters sensitive territory. If your role shifts to performing work for the company abroad, that may fall outside the scope of your authorization, because the foundation of the L-1 is your contribution to the business in the United States.

Changes in the scope of work typically require careful analysis and, in some cases, a different authorization or a visa more compatible with the new duties. This is not a decision to make on your own based on assumptions.

• Work under L-1 is centered on the U.S. sponsoring entity.
• Services rendered to the foreign affiliate may exceed the visa’s scope.
• A change in duties calls for analysis and, at times, a different authorization.

Before taking on any remote work arrangement for operations abroad, it is worth reviewing the terms of your authorization and discussing your situation with a specialist to avoid jeopardizing your status.

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.