Is ‘job shadowing’ at another company branch allowed?

The L visa is designed for executives, managers, and specialized knowledge professionals transferred within the same company or group. It presupposes that the beneficiary will perform, in the United States, duties tied to the position and purpose approved in the petition.

‘Job shadowing’ (accompanying and observing a colleague’s work to learn) at another branch must be analyzed in this context. If the observation is a natural part of training within the primary approved role, there may be room for it. If it strays from the responsibilities that justified the transfer, the risk of departing from the terms of the L visa increases.

Points that help assess the situation:

• Whether the activity fits within the position approved in the petition.
• Whether it is brief and formative, or whether it effectively becomes a different role in practice.
• Whether it involves another branch in a way consistent with the employment relationship.

Because the line between training and a deviation from the approved role can be subtle, it is worth validating any new activity before carrying it out. Consult the official USCIS resources or an immigration professional to confirm that the conduct is consistent with the terms of the L visa.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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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.