Do I need to prove that the company abroad will continue operating?

Yes, for the L-1 you must demonstrate that the foreign company is a legitimate and active operation. Since this visa is designed for intracompany transfers, the review considers whether a real and ongoing structure exists both abroad and in the United States.

This does not mean proving that the company will operate indefinitely. What is expected is evidence that the company maintains consistent operations, which supports the logic of the transfer between entities within the same group.

Documents that help establish this continuity include:

• Financial and accounting records of the foreign company.
• Active contracts, licenses, and other administrative documents.
• Evidence that the parent company or affiliate and the U.S. unit belong to the same corporate group.

Because inadequate documentation can negatively affect the review, it is worth being thorough and transparent, and checking the updated requirements through the official source (USCIS), ideally with specialized support.

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.