Can I hold an ownership stake in a U.S. company while on L-1?

Generally, yes. Holding an ownership stake in a United States company is typically compatible with the L-1 visa, provided that the interest is passive and does not interfere with the executive, managerial, or specialized duties that justified the visa grant.

The key distinction is between investing and working. Being a shareholder or holding an equity interest, without involvement in day-to-day operations or management, tends to be treated as an investment. Taking on active roles in another business, however, may be interpreted as unauthorized employment, because the L-1 ties you to the specific activities of the petitioning company.

In practice, it is worth keeping a few points in mind:

• Keep the interest passive, without daily management involvement.
• Do not perform duties that would constitute employment outside the scope of the visa.
• Maintain transparency with the relevant authorities.

Since the line between investment and work can be subtle, the most prudent course is to confirm your specific situation with a specialist who understands both immigration and the investment structure, avoiding interpretations that could affect your status.

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.