What are the rules for terminating an L-1 worker? Can they look for another job?

The L-1 visa is tied to the employment relationship with the sponsoring company. For this reason, upon termination the professional generally loses their status and has a grace period to sort out their situation before being required to leave the country.

Within that window, the most common options are changing to another status, seeking a new visa compatible with a new job offer, or departing the United States within the allowed time. The key is to act promptly and follow official guidance to avoid accruing unlawful presence.

As for looking for another job: an L-1 holder cannot simply switch employers and continue working under the same visa. The L-1 is employer-specific, so a new hire requires a new petition and authorization, and moving to another category such as H-1B is a separate process conducted by the new employer.

Because the available options and timelines depend on your specific circumstances and may change, it is worth confirming the grace period and current alternatives with USCIS or an immigration specialist as soon as termination becomes a possibility.

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.