Could I face issues if I do not receive a salary from the U.S. company?

Yes, it can raise questions. Under the L-1 visa, maintaining status depends on a legitimate employment relationship, consistent with what was approved in the petition. The form of compensation typically helps establish that employment tie and the continuity of the work.

If you are not receiving a salary from the U.S. company, the key point is whether the employment relationship and the terms of the transfer remain consistent with what was presented to the authorities. The absence of compensation can cast doubt on the validity of those terms and on the maintenance of status, since the employment tie is one of the foundations of the L-1.

Additionally, material changes to working conditions, including compensation policy, must be handled carefully, because alterations that depart from what was approved may be interpreted as a breach of the visa terms. For that reason, when dealing with a situation like this, it is worth consulting a specialist and confirming updated requirements with official sources before making any decisions.

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.