What are the penalties for working outside the scope of the L-1?

The L-1 authorizes a transferred professional (whether an executive, manager, or specialist) to work for the sponsoring employer within clearly defined duties. Stepping outside that scope (such as taking a position with another company, providing services to third parties, or performing activities beyond what was approved) constitutes a violation of immigration status.

The consequences can be serious and may include:

• Visa revocation and loss of lawful status in the United States.
• Exposure to removal proceedings (deportation) from the country.
• Negative impact on future visa applications or immigration benefit petitions.

There is also a relevant perception risk: conduct viewed as deliberate non-compliance with the rules may be interpreted as fraud or bad faith, which weighs heavily in subsequent reviews. For this reason, staying strictly within the authorized activities is the safest approach to preserving your status.

If there is any uncertainty about what your role permits, it is worth confirming the scope with USCIS or with a qualified specialist before taking on new responsibilities.

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.