L-1 visa for freelancers?

[simon86]

Is one requirement of the L-1 visa that the employee must work in the US office?

If I work from home as a freelancer for a UK company but will be transferred to the US to work for our US branch, again working from home as a freelancer for the US branch but actively doing required business in the US, would that make me ineligible for the visa?

[Libra_14]

Is one requirement of the L-1 visa that the employee must work in the US office?

If I work from home as a freelancer for a UK company but will be transferred to the US to work for our US branch, again working from home as a freelancer for the US branch but actively doing required business in the US, would that make me ineligible for the visa?

No, you are still eligible - you just need to be paid by your US branch in USD & you'll need to pay taxes in USA.

[simon86]

Thanks for that. Out of curiosity, is that the same for H-1B visa holders as well, where they're allowed to work from home as a freelancer for a US company?

No, you are still eligible - you just need to be paid by your US branch in USD & you'll need to pay taxes in USA.

[Libra_14]

Thanks for that. Out of curiosity, is that the same for H-1B visa holders as well, where they're allowed to work from home as a freelancer for a US company?

To be more clear, you need to work (in office or remote) for your petitioned company only & get paid by them only.

You cannot work for any other company or individual & get paid by them directly. like doing uber work.

This applies for all non-immigrant work related visas.