Does employment with the company need to be uninterrupted for the L-1?

Generally, yes. For the L-1, the work history with the company abroad typically needs to be continuous: there is a qualifying period of employment with the foreign organization before the transfer, and demonstrating the continuity of that relationship is a key part of the petition.

This means that significant gaps can be problematic. A break deemed excessive, one that substantially disrupts the continuity of employment, tends to make it harder to establish the requirement. That said, not every variation in a professional trajectory is treated as a disruption.

The sensitive point is that what counts as an interruption has no single standard: it depends on the circumstances of each case. Situations involving periods of inactivity, leave of absence, or a change in role deserve close attention.

Since this is a criterion that authorities evaluate carefully, avoid assuming exact timeframes. Confirm the current requirements with USCIS and, ideally, review your work history with a specialist before filing.

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.