Do we need separate attorneys for the foreign company and the US entity?

There is no rule that requires hiring separate attorneys for the foreign company and the US entity in an L-1 case. What truly matters is that the case is handled by someone who understands both US immigration law and the legal obligations in the home country.

In practice, the process has two fronts: demonstrating the corporate relationship between the overseas company and the US entity (parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate) and organizing the documentation for the transferred employee. A single firm with international experience can handle everything, or the work can be divided between professionals in each jurisdiction working together.

• There is no formal requirement to have separate legal teams for each company.
• The key is to cover both jurisdictions involved effectively.
• Collaboration between specialists tends to facilitate multinational cases.

Since every corporate structure has its own particularities, it is worth evaluating your situation with a qualified immigration professional and checking the latest guidance from USCIS before defining your strategy.

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.