If I need to take care of a sick family member in my country, can I suspend my L-1?

The L-1 visa is a benefit granted to professionals transferred within multinational companies to work in the USA. It is directly linked to the employment relationship and the specific duties that the professional must perform on American soil. Because of this, it is important to know that the conditions and terms of this visa do not allow an automatic ”pause” or suspension simply for personal reasons, such as caring for a sick family member in your country of origin.

If you need to be temporarily absent to care for a relative, this may impact your immigration status. The L-1 requires the holder to be engaged in performing the qualifying activities for which the visa was granted. Therefore, if you are absent from fulfilling these activities for a prolonged period, this can be interpreted as abandonment of the corresponding status.

In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate a temporary solution with the sponsoring company, but it is crucial to follow US immigration rules, which do not provide a mechanism for automatic suspension of the L-1 visa for this type of situation. It is worth noting that changes in situation, such as leaving the US for a long period, generally require careful analysis to avoid future complications in your reentry or in the processing of other immigration requests.

Thus, although there is some flexibility depending on circumstances and the understanding of authorities in specific cases, any change in visa status must be conducted with extreme care and preferably with the assistance of specialists in the field. It is always important to stay informed about current laws and regulations, seek advice from qualified professionals, and avoid promises of miracle solutions found in marketing campaigns. This way, you will reduce the risk of complications in your process and ensure safety in complying with US legal obligations.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.