How long can I stay in the U.S. after my L-1 ends?

The L-1 is tied to your relationship with the sponsoring employer. When that relationship ends, your authorization to remain in the United States ends as well, and there is no automatic extension of your stay simply because employment has ceased.

In practice, there is generally a short grace period for the person to arrange departure or file for a change of status, if eligible. That window, however, is not guaranteed in all cases: it is defined by the applicable rules and may vary depending on the circumstances and the authorities’ determination. For this reason, it is not advisable to assume a specific number of days.

• Once the employment relationship ends, the authorization to remain also ends.
• There is generally a short period to arrange departure or change status.
• That period is neither guaranteed nor fixed, so do not rely on a set number of days.

Accruing time in an unlawful status can jeopardize future visas and travel, so acting promptly is essential. It is strongly advisable to confirm the grace period applicable to your case with USCIS and seek specialized guidance as soon as the employment relationship ends.

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.