Is remote work for a foreign company in another country compatible with L-1?

Generally, no. The L-1 is an intracompany transfer visa: it presupposes that the executive, manager, or specialized knowledge professional works at the U.S. entity (branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate), contributing directly to the American operation.

Remaining outside the United States while working remotely for the foreign company therefore does not normally fit the purpose of the visa. The logic of the L-1 is to integrate the professional into the operational or managerial structure of the company in the U.S., not merely to maintain a remote connection with the overseas parent.

If the role is performed exclusively from outside the country, it may not satisfy the requirement that the work directly benefit the activities of that U.S. office, which affects eligibility.

Because every work arrangement has its own particularities, it is worth verifying the current rules at the official source and seeking specialized guidance before structuring the role, so as to avoid interpretations that could jeopardize the L-1.

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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.