What evidence is included as proof of corporate control in the L-1?

For the L-1, proving corporate control means demonstrating through documents that a genuine ownership and management relationship exists between the group’s entities, which supports the transfer of an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge employee. The idea is that the structure presented accurately reflects who controls whom.

Documents that typically serve as evidence include:

• Articles of incorporation and bylaws, detailing the ownership and management structure.
• Stock records and shareholder meeting minutes, showing ownership and the decisions made by shareholders.
• Organizational charts and corporate reports, illustrating the hierarchical relationship among the entities.
• Certificates and public records issued by official authorities.

Because each structure has its own particularities, the set of documents must be internally consistent. It is worth confirming updated requirements with USCIS or a qualified specialist before assembling the file. Be wary of dubious offers and promises of guaranteed outcomes.

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.