Can the company cancel my L-1 petition?

Yes. The L-1 is a company-sponsored visa, based on the relationship between the employer and the transferred professional. Because of this, the sponsoring company can generally withdraw or cancel the petition, since the benefit is tied to it.

This cancellation can happen for various reasons, such as a change in strategy, internal reorganization, or the decision to end the transfer. It is a prerogative that comes with the corporate nature of the visa.

The practical effects vary depending on the timing. If the process is still pending, the impact differs from a situation where the visa has already been approved and you are in the United States. Each scenario has its own consequences for your status.

If your petition has been canceled or is at risk, it is worth staying in contact with the company’s human resources department and seeking updated guidance from USCIS or a specialist to understand your options.

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.