Read the general pathway comparison overview
A transferee taking over a company function and an investor taking over a purchased business may both describe a handoff. The two arrangements still need different evidence and should not be treated as interchangeable routes.
Identify who creates the applicant’s authority
Hypothetical example: the applicant could receive a role in a related U.S. company or acquire a business with temporary seller support. Record the employer, ownership and actual duties in each. A related-company transfer depends on qualifying organizations and employment; a purchase’s management rights do not retroactively create that history.
Test the substantive route requirements
For L-1, assess the foreign employment and managerial, executive or specialized-knowledge role. For E-2, assess treaty nationality, substantial lawful capital committed at risk and a real nonmarginal enterprise the applicant will develop and direct. Generally at least 50% treaty-country-national ownership of the enterprise matters. Neither a handoff title nor a paid purchase establishes every condition.
Review the transition for the household as well
Identify what the applicant and accompanying family expect to do when support ends. Qualifying E and L spouses may be employment-authorized incident to status with appropriate documentation; children do not gain work permission solely through dependent status. Use the actual selected arrangement and individual records before relying on a commercial completion date.
What else is on your mind?
Does being a business owner or director qualify me for L-1A?What employment history should an L-1 transfer review cover?What makes a new-office L-1A case different?How should an owner compare L-1 and E-2?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.