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Does the L-1 allow me to hold a part-time second job?

The L-1 authorizes work only for the sponsoring company, so a part-time second job is off the table without a formal change of status. Understand the risks before accepting another activity.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 17, 2026
1 min read
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The L-1 visa does not allow a part-time second job. It was created for intracompany transfers and therefore authorizes work only for the sponsoring company, in the approved role.

Taking on another position, even part-time and at a different company, means performing work beyond what was authorized. This can be interpreted as a violation of the visa terms and may have consequences for your immigration status.

  • The L-1 is tied to the employment relationship with the sponsoring employer.
  • Work for third parties, even part-time, is not covered by the status.
  • Changes in professional activity require appropriate formal authorization.

If you are considering combining another paid activity, the safe path is to review your options with a specialist and confirm the rules with USCIS before accepting any offer.

Learn more about L-1

Type
Intracompany transfer
Duration
1-3 years
Extension
Up to 5-7 years
Processing
2-5 months
All about L-1

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.

Victoria's tips

Does the L-1 allow me to hold a part-time second job?

The L-1 authorizes work only for the sponsoring company, so a part-time second job is off the table without a formal change of status. Understand the risks before accepting another activity.

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