Read the general pathway comparison overview
A person may be described as an owner, director or specialist in different documents. Those words do not choose a U.S. route. Read the actual employment, corporate relationship and investment rights.
Explain the L-1 role and individual history
L-1 needs qualifying related active businesses in the United States and at least one other country. Generally a continuous full-time foreign year within the relevant preceding three years may be managerial, executive or specialized knowledge, excluding U.S. days. The U.S. role separately must meet L-1A management or executive duties or L-1B specialized knowledge. Accurate descriptions matter more than matching foreign and U.S. titles.
Explain the E-2 ownership and capital
E-2 needs relevant treaty nationality, at least 50% enterprise ownership by nationals of that treaty country and the applicant’s direction through at least 50% ownership or other qualifying operational control. Lawful substantial capital must be committed at risk in a real nonmarginal enterprise, with no universal minimum. It must support more than minimal living for the investor and family or a significant economic contribution, and the investor must intend to depart when E status ends.
Preserve the special launch conditions
L new-office treatment concerns less than one year of U.S. doing business and initial approval of at most one year. L-1A requires the foreign year specifically managerial or executive, premises and support for the qualifying role within one year of approval. L-1B requires premises and ability to pay the employee and begin business. E-2 instead needs the real commitment and enterprise evidence. A simplified business summary cannot erase these differences or authorize work.
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: 2026-09-08. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.