If my spouse also works at the foreign company, can we each have an L-1?

Yes, it is possible, but with an important caveat: there is no L-1 that is simply derived from the other. Each spouse must qualify on their own merits, just like any other visa applicant.

In practice, this means each person must individually demonstrate that they held an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge position at the foreign company within the required qualifying period, and that the transfer to the United States fits within the company’s organizational structure.

If both spouses work at the foreign company and both meet these criteria, there is no obstacle to each of them applying for their own transfer under the L-1. The petitions, however, are reviewed independently by immigration authorities, each with its own supporting documentation.

• It is not a derivative visa: each spouse qualifies on their own.
• Each person must demonstrate their role and relationship with the foreign company.
• The petitions are evaluated individually.

Since each case has its own particularities, it is worth verifying the current requirements with USCIS and reviewing both profiles with a specialist before filing, building each person’s documentation with care.

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.