Can the L-1A visa be used by company owner partners?

The L-1A visa is designed to facilitate the transfer of executives and managers from international companies to their branches or subsidiaries in the United States. It allows multinational companies to bring professionals who already hold strategic positions at the headquarters or other foreign units to develop or manage operations on American soil.

Regarding your question, owner partners can indeed be eligible for the L-1A visa, provided they meet the main requirements. That is, merely being an owner or shareholder is not sufficient by itself. The partner must perform executive or managerial functions both in the foreign company and in the U.S. branch.

Additionally, the applicant must prove that they have worked continuously for at least one year within the last three years at the foreign company-performing managerial or supervisory duties-before being transferred to the U.S.

Another important point is demonstrating the qualified relationship between the foreign company and the new entity in the U.S. This involves proving that both are properly related, such as parent and branch, or that they are part of the same corporate group. Documentation must show the company structure, the applicant”s roles, and the continuity of operations both outside and within the United States.

Finally, it is always essential to strictly follow current immigration laws and regulations. Due to the complexity of the process, it is advisable for interested parties to seek guidance from specialized professionals and exercise caution when facing promises of guaranteed results or consultancy offers that do not follow legal practices. Each case is unique, and a careful analysis of documents and the circumstances of each company is fundamental to avoid issues with the immigration process.

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.