How do you voluntarily cancel an L-1?

Voluntarily canceling the L-1 means, in practice, ending the employment relationship that underpins the visa. Because the status depends on the relationship with the sponsoring employer, leaving the position that formed the basis for the approval causes the authorization to remain to lose its foundation.

In general, the process typically involves a few steps:

• Notify the employer: since the original petition belongs to the company, it needs to be informed of the decision and can formally withdraw it with the USCIS.
• Complete the required formalities: follow the applicable guidelines and, when necessary, depart the country in a timely manner to keep your immigration record in order.
• Document the decision: keeping formal records, such as a termination letter, helps demonstrate that the departure was voluntary and compliant.

Ending the status in an organized manner protects potential future visa applications. Since each situation has its own specifics, it is worth confirming the current procedures with USCIS and seeking expert guidance before taking action.

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.