Transferring between sister companies confuses most people.USCIS wants proof of control. Not just shared ownership. Actual control.Many L-1 petitions get denied because companies prove they're related but can't prove the required control relationship. Your US entity and foreign entity both sitting under a holding company doesn't automatically qualify you for an L-1 visa.We compared five immigration consultation firms that excel at proving qualifying relationships for L-1 transfers between sister companies. Here's what matters.
Beyond Border dominates sister company L-1 cases. They understand control documentation better than anyone.
What They Do Well
Their team maps corporate structures visually. Charts showing the holding company, ownership percentages, and control mechanisms. USCIS officers love visual evidence.Beyond Border gathers the right documents immediately. Stock certificates proving ownership. Board minutes showing control decisions. Shareholder agreements defining authority. Operating agreements establishing management rights.
They're exceptional at proving common ownership and control when the holding company owns both entities. They document that the same people control both companies through board seats, voting rights, and management authority.For complex structures with multiple holding layers, Beyond Border traces control through each level. The parent company controls Holding A. Holding A controls both sister entities. The chain must be clear.
Pricing
Initial consultation costs $250. Full L-1 petition for sister companies runs $3,500 to $6,500 depending on corporate structure complexity and how many entities are involved.
Why Choose Them
Beyond Border doesn't guess at qualifying relationships. They verify control thoroughly before filing. Their approach prevents denials and Requests for Evidence.
Struggling to prove sister company control? Book a consultation with Beyond Border and we'll document your corporate structure correctly.
Fragomen handles multinational corporate structures regularly. Large companies with holding groups use them frequently.
What They Do Well
They understand qualifying relationships under L-1 thoroughly. Parent-subsidiary, branch office, affiliate, and sister company relationships all require different proof.Fragomen documents ownership percentages precisely. They know that owning 50 percent of both entities through the same holding company creates a qualifying relationship.Their experience with publicly traded holding companies helps. Complex ownership structures with institutional investors need careful documentation. Fragomen handles this well.
The Downside
Volume creates standardization. Each sister company case has unique quirks. Fragomen's templates don't always capture specific control mechanisms properly.
Pricing
L-1 petitions cost $4,500 to $7,000. Add fees for complex corporate structure analysis.
BAL brings systematic analysis to sister company relationships. Their platform guides evidence collection.
What They Do Well
Their intake system captures corporate structure details thoroughly. Who owns what percentage of each company? Who sits on each board? Who has voting control?BAL explains the control requirement clearly. Ownership alone isn't enough. You need control through voting rights, board authority, or management agreements.They document common ownership L-1 requirements well. If Person A owns 60 percent of both companies, that's common ownership and control. BAL gathers stock certificates and shareholder agreements proving this.
The Downside
Their technology-driven approach sometimes misses unusual corporate structures. Some holding groups use creative control mechanisms that don't fit standard categories.
Pricing
L-1 petitions run $3,800 to $6,000. Complexity increases costs.
Klasko handles sophisticated L-1 corporate structures. Their attorneys understand corporate law deeply.
What They Do Well
Exceptional expertise in proving control through management agreements. Some holding companies don't own majority stakes but control operations through contracts. Klasko documents this perfectly.
They're brilliant at explaining veto rights and board control. Even if the holding company owns only 40 percent of each sister company, special voting rights might give it control. Klasko identifies these mechanisms.Strong work on affiliate company L-1 transfers. When two companies are affiliates through common ownership but neither is a parent or subsidiary, the control proof becomes critical.
The Downside
Premium pricing. Their expertise costs significantly more. Longer timelines than streamlined firms.
Pricing
Consultations start at $450. L-1 petitions with complex sister company relationships cost $6,500 to $10,000.
Murthy has processed thousands of L-1 sister company cases over three decades. Experience shows.
What They Do Well
They've seen every type of holding structure imaginable. Simple ones where Holding Co owns 100 percent of both entities. Complex ones with multiple ownership tiers.Murthy explains the 50 percent threshold clearly. If the holding company owns at least 50 percent of both sister companies, a qualifying relationship exists. Below 50 percent, you need additional control proof.Their document checklists are comprehensive. Stock ledgers. Articles of incorporation. Bylaws. Shareholder meeting minutes. Operating agreements. Every piece matters.
The Downside
Less personalized attention. Junior associates handle documentation gathering. Senior partner expertise doesn't always reach individual cases.
Pricing
L-1 petitions cost $3,500 to $5,500. Mid-range pricing for solid execution.
1.What qualifies as a sister company relationship for L-1 visas?
A sister company relationship qualifies when both entities share common ownership and control through the same parent or holding company that owns at least 50 percent of each entity with voting rights or equivalent control mechanisms.
2.How do you prove control between sister companies?
You prove control by providing stock certificates showing ownership percentages, board composition documents, shareholder agreements defining control rights, voting stock evidence, and management contracts establishing operational authority from the common parent or holding entity.
3.Can I transfer on L-1 between sister companies without a parent company?
No, L-1 transfers require a qualifying relationship which means sister companies must have common ownership and control through a parent entity, holding company, or individuals who own and control both entities with at least 50 percent stakes.
4.What if the holding company owns less than 50 percent of each sister company?
If the holding company owns less than 50 percent, you can still qualify by proving control through other mechanisms like veto rights, board majority, management agreements, or voting rights that exceed ownership percentages documented clearly.
5.Do sister companies need similar business operations for L-1 eligibility?
No, sister companies don't need similar operations, but you must prove they're under common ownership and control through a holding structure, and the employee's transfer must serve legitimate business purposes for the US entity.
