Read the general pathway comparison overview
An employee’s company transfer and an investor’s enterprise may concern similar commercial activity while relying on different people and evidence. Assess the arrangement that actually exists rather than combining both descriptions.
Describe who would act in each proposal
Hypothetical example: a company offers a transfer while an individual explores buying an unrelated business. Keep the related-company assignment distinct from the acquisition. L requires qualifying organizations, foreign employment and an eligible managerial, executive or specialized-knowledge role.
Identify the investor’s own conditions
E-2 requires qualifying treaty nationality, generally at least 50% corresponding enterprise ownership, substantial lawful capital committed at risk and a real nonmarginal enterprise the principal develops and directs. A company’s willingness to employ someone does not establish that person’s qualifying investment.
Preserve incompatible alternatives as alternatives
Explain which proposal is current, which is contingent and what would change. Do not borrow one organization’s staffing, another business’s revenue and a third party’s authority to describe a single arrangement that no contract supports. Individual work permission remains separate from a preferred commercial choice.
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.