The overseas company and the US one have different names but the same owner. Does that count as affiliation?

Companies with different names but under the same owner or control can indeed have a relevant connection for an EB-1 petition. Different names alone do not rule out a relationship between them; what typically matters is who holds control and how the two entities are linked at the ownership level.

When there is common ownership or control, a group relationship between the companies may exist, even if each maintains its own commercial identity. That connection can take different forms, and the exact classification depends on how the structure is organized and documented.

To establish that link, documentation is what counts:

• Articles of incorporation, shareholder records, and ownership chain.
• Documents showing common control and integrated decision-making.
• Records that demonstrate operational continuity between the entities.

Because corporate structures can be complex and every case has its own particulars, the best approach is to review the requirements on the USCIS website and work with a specialist to map out and present that relationship clearly to the authorities.

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.