Eligibility & petitioners
Can a one-person company petition for its founder?
Updated: October 29, 2026
Potentially. USCIS guidance explains that a separate legal entity owned by the beneficiary, such as a corporation or LLC, may serve as the petitioner. Forming a company alone does not establish O-1 eligibility. The petition structure, contracts, proposed work and personal qualifications still need assessment. Corporate governance should be evaluated for the actual structure; an independent board should not be presented as a fixed requirement for every case.
Next step
Organize the company and work plan.
Organize the company and work plan →Official policy resources
Use the official rules applicable at filing and the notices for your individual case.