Can I be a minority shareholder and still qualify for L-1A?

Yes, being a minority shareholder does not, by itself, prevent obtaining the L-1A. This category looks at the substance of your role in the company, not the size of your ownership stake. What the USCIS examines is whether you genuinely exercise managerial or executive functions.

To that end, the L-1A logic generally requires two aligned moments:

• Abroad, having served in a managerial or executive capacity at the related entity during the qualifying period required for the visa.
• In the United States, continuing in an executive or managerial position of a decision-making and supervisory nature.

In practice, the weight is on demonstrating real authority: the ability to hire, supervise teams, and make strategic decisions. If the documentation evidences that leadership, minority shareholder status tends not to be an obstacle. Because the review is thorough and each case has its particularities, it is worth confirming the updated requirements with USCIS or with an immigration professional before filing.

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.