Does leaving the country cancel my change of status to L-1?

It can. As a general rule, leaving the United States while a change of status petition for the L-1 is still pending is treated by the USCIS as abandonment of the request.

A change of status is the procedure that allows someone to move from another nonimmigrant category to the L-1 without leaving the country and without needing to apply for a visa at a consulate. For that very reason, it presupposes that you remain physically in the United States while the petition is under review. By leaving the country with the request still open, USCIS may determine that you have abandoned the internal process.

The practical effect is not losing the L-1 entirely, but rather changing the path to obtain it. Instead of the internal transition already in progress, it becomes necessary to process the L-1 at a consulate abroad, with its own steps, different timelines, and a new entry strategy into the U.S.

If you need to travel during a change of status, the safest approach is to consult a specialist beforehand and review the official USCIS guidance. That way you avoid unintentionally interrupting the petition and keep the process under control.

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.