Can I work for the foreign company and the U.S. company at the same time?

Generally, no. The L-1 is an intracompany transfer visa, and the work authorization it grants is tied to the company that sponsored your transfer to the United States. In practice, you perform your duties for that organization in the U.S., and not for any other employer.

This means that working simultaneously for another foreign company that is neither the sponsoring entity nor an affiliate with a recognized corporate relationship typically does not fall within the conditions of the visa. The L-1 was designed for the internal mobility of executives, managers, and specialized knowledge workers within the same corporate group, not for accumulating outside employment relationships.

• Work authorization is specific to the employer that sponsored the L-1.
• Working for an affiliate within the group may be possible when a recognized corporate relationship exists.
• Providing services to third parties outside that relationship tends to violate the conditions of the visa.

Because each corporate structure has its own particularities, it is worth confirming your situation before taking on any parallel activity. Consult the official USCIS guidance and, if needed, a specialist, to avoid putting your status and future petitions at risk.

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.