Read the general pathway comparison overview
A Strathroy-Caradoc family business owner might consider either an L-1 transfer to a related U.S. operation or an E-2 purchase of an unrelated American business, sometimes funded by the same family assets. Build each proposal out fully on its own facts, since a family relationship in one option does not carry over to the other.
Distinguish a related transfer from an unrelated purchase clearly
Hypothetical example: a family business is deciding between opening a U.S. branch of its existing Ontario operation and instead buying an independent U.S. company with proceeds from a farm sale. Map the ownership structure for each option — the branch option needs a qualifying corporate relationship; the independent purchase needs its own investor and enterprise review with no existing corporate tie to rely on.
Describe the applicant's actual proposed duties for each option
An L-1 branch role and an E-2 purchased business may call for genuinely different day-to-day work. Write out what the person would actually do in each scenario rather than assuming family management experience transfers identically to both structures. For the transfer, test the full-time continuous qualifying foreign year within the relevant three years and the actual managerial, executive or specialized-knowledge role. Related organizations must meet the continuing-business requirements. For the investment, test treaty nationality and generally 50% treaty-country ownership, lawful committed at-risk capital, substantiality, a real non-marginal enterprise, development and direction, and intent to depart when E status ends. Record which proposal supplies the evidence for each requirement; documents from one deal do not automatically establish the other.
Compare family and financial consequences honestly
If farm or business-sale proceeds fund the E-2 option specifically, keep that funding history distinct from the L-1 option's corporate relationship evidence. Compare the household's actual preference, risk tolerance, and family members' work and study plans across both routes before choosing one.
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.