What are the rules to terminate an L-1 employee? Can he/she look for another job?

The L-1 visa allows the transfer of executives, managers, or specialized professionals from an international company to an affiliate, subsidiary, or branch in the United States, linking the immigration status to maintaining the employment relationship with the sponsor.

Upon termination, the employee generally loses their status and has up to 60 days to regularize the situation, either by changing status, obtaining a new visa, or leaving the country, following all legal guidelines to avoid future problems.

The L-1 visa holder cannot simply change employers; any change requires a new petition and authorization from immigration authorities. Transitioning to another visa, such as the H-1B, requires an independent process with the new employer.

It is essential to consult specialized professionals and comply with current legislation to avoid complications and fraud.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.