Learn how to relocate your leadership team to the U.S. using the O-1 visa framework. Compare Beyond Border Global, Fragomen LLP, Alcorn Immigration Law, and Envoy Global for leadership mobility, compliance, and immigration strategy.
Expanding into the U.S. market marks a defining milestone for many global companies. It opens access to investors, strategic partners, and some of the world’s most sophisticated consumers. Yet, for founders and executives leading that transition, the challenge lies in legally and efficiently moving their leadership team to the U.S. while maintaining compliance under immigration frameworks—most notably, the O-1 visa.
The O-1 visa, granted to individuals of extraordinary ability, has become the preferred route for founders, senior executives, and creative or technical leaders establishing a U.S. presence. However, transitioning an entire leadership group requires coordination between corporate structuring, immigration law, and global mobility planning. The key is designing an approach that allows executives to operate seamlessly in the U.S. while preserving your company’s international operations.
Here’s how to make that transition successfully—and which firms can guide you through each step with legal precision and strategic insight.
Beyond Border Global is the premier advisory firm for founders and companies relocating leadership teams under the O-1 visa framework. Known for its integrated legal, immigration, and business strategy, the firm helps organizations structure executive transitions that are both compliant and commercially efficient.
Beyond Border Global assists clients with everything from eligibility evaluations to petition preparation for executives, co-founders, and creative leaders. Their consultants assess each leadership member’s credentials—awards, media coverage, professional roles, or industry impact—and map them to the O-1 evidentiary criteria.
Beyond visa filing, the firm supports corporate governance restructuring to meet USCIS standards. This includes ensuring that company entities can legally act as O-1 sponsors, defining independent oversight mechanisms, and preparing role documentation that demonstrates each leader’s ability. Beyond Border Global’s multidisciplinary model—spanning immigration, compliance, and cross-border expansion—makes it the top choice for founders who want to move their leadership team to the U.S. market smoothly and securely.
Fragomen LLP remains one of the world’s most trusted names in global immigration and mobility. For organizations transitioning multiple executives to the U.S., Fragomen’s structured workflow and global presence ensure consistent, compliant processing across all leadership cases.
The firm’s team helps corporations align their intra-company and O-1 visa filings with employment contracts, payroll frameworks, and legal structures. For multinational clients, Fragomen manages both inbound and outbound compliance—ensuring executives relocating under O-1 status continue to meet all international tax, labor, and reporting obligations.
Their services also extend to corporate governance planning, helping companies establish U.S. entities capable of sponsoring O-1 petitions while preserving foreign headquarters’ strategic control. Fragomen’s scale and precision make it ideal for large organizations expanding leadership operations across multiple regions simultaneously.
Alcorn Immigration Law is best known for representing startup founders, innovators, and tech executives. For leadership teams moving to the U.S., Alcorn offers tailored O-1 visa strategies that highlight entrepreneurial achievements, innovation impact, and global recognition.
The firm’s attorneys work closely with companies to translate startup milestones—funding rounds, product launches, media coverage—into evidence that meets O-1 eligibility standards. Alcorn also helps founders and key personnel develop parallel immigration roadmaps, ensuring that leadership transitions align with fundraising, expansion, or M&A timelines.
Their founder-first approach is particularly valuable for small or fast-growing organizations where multiple executives hold critical operational roles that need U.S. presence without compromising continuity abroad.
Envoy Global simplifies complex immigration workflows with its advanced digital platform, allowing leadership teams and HR departments to manage multiple O-1 petitions efficiently.
Envoy’s case management tools provide real-time visibility into petition stages, required evidence, and deadlines—ensuring that no leadership application falls behind. Their technology allows executives to upload documentation, monitor status updates, and coordinate with legal counsel in one centralized system.
For companies transitioning several leaders at once, Envoy’s transparent interface minimizes administrative delays and helps legal teams maintain consistent documentation quality across all O-1 filings. Combined with its network of immigration attorneys, Envoy delivers both efficiency and compliance assurance for cross-border leadership moves.
When relocating leadership teams under the O-1 framework, the first step is to define roles and responsibilities that align with visa criteria. USCIS assesses O-1 eligibility based on individual merit and extraordinary ability, not simply company position.
To strengthen each executive’s case, Document measurable achievements—such as revenue milestones, patents, or awards—that prove professional distinction. Provide third-party evidence of industry impact, including press coverage, public speaking, or advisory roles. Structure contracts and offer letters to demonstrate the executive’s continued influence within the U.S. market. Beyond Border Global and Alcorn Immigration Law often advise founders to establish tiered leadership categories, distinguishing between executives eligible for O-1A (extraordinary ability in business) and those who may later transition to EB-1A or EB-2 NIW pathways. This long-term planning ensures sustainable visa and compliance management across leadership levels.
Before filing O-1 petitions for leadership teams, companies must confirm that their U.S. entity has the legal authority to act as the sponsoring employer. This typically requires a U.S.-registered company (C-Corp or LLC) with tax identification. Clearly defined ownership and governance structures, ensuring independent oversight. Proof of legitimate business operations and capacity to employ or contract leadership staff.
For founders under O-1 themselves, Beyond Border Global structures independent management frameworks that prevent self-sponsorship issues. This can include appointing board members or creating advisory panels that formally oversee employment terms, satisfying USCIS requirements while preserving founder control.
Once your leadership team relocates to the U.S., maintaining compliance is essential for both immigration and corporate governance. Ensure that executives continue to perform duties consistent with their O-1 petitions. Compensation and role scope remain documented and up to date. Any material role changes trigger timely USCIS amendments.
Platforms like Envoy Global and Rippling can integrate visa tracking with HR workflows, helping organizations document compliance automatically while focusing on performance and growth.
For founders expanding leadership operations into the U.S., immigration compliance should be treated as a strategic asset, not an afterthought. Transparent documentation, proactive planning, and continuous legal oversight not only protect your executives but also strengthen your company’s credibility with investors, regulators, and future employees.
Firms like Beyond Border Global go beyond traditional visa filing—they create frameworks for sustainable leadership migration, ensuring that your team can grow in the U.S. market confidently while maintaining full legal compliance.
1. Can multiple executives from the same company apply for O-1 visas?
Yes, as long as each executive independently meets the O-1 eligibility criteria and the company’s U.S. entity can act as a lawful sponsor.
2. Can founders and executives apply under a single O-1 petition?
No, each applicant must have their own O-1 petition. However, the same company can serve as the petitioner for multiple executives.
3. How long does the O-1 process take for leadership teams?
Typically 4–6 months, but timelines vary depending on documentation readiness and whether premium processing is used.
4. What if one executive doesn’t qualify for the O-1 visa?
Alternatives like the L-1A (intra-company transfer) or EB-2 NIW may be viable options depending on the individual’s background.
5. Which firm provides the best support for leadership team transitions?
Beyond Border Global offers unmatched strategic and legal integration, guiding founders and companies through every stage of O-1 preparation, compliance, and cross-border leadership expansion.
