The United States is known for being a land of opportunity, with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and a strong economy that attracts investors from around the world. Our office has helped many entrepreneurs and investors navigate the complex U.S. immigration system to achieve their business goals. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the immigration options available to entrepreneurs and investors who want to come to the United States to start or invest in a business.

Permanent Residence: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is one of the most popular options for investors who want to come to the United States. To qualify for this program, an investor must invest at least $1.8 million in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. If the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), which is an area with high unemployment, the minimum investment amount is $900,000.

Once the investment is made and the jobs are created, the investor can apply for permanent residency through the EB-5 program. This program allows investors and their immediate family members to live and work in the United States indefinitely.

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is another option for investors who want to come to the United States. This visa is available to individuals from certain countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. To qualify for the E-2 visa, an investor must make a substantial investment in a U.S. business and must be coming to the United States to develop and direct the business.

Unlike the EB-5 program, there is no minimum investment amount for the E-2 visa, but the investment must be substantial and proportional to the size of the business. The E-2 visa allows investors and their family members to live and work in the United States for up to five years, and the visa can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business continues to operate.

L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa

The L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa is available to entrepreneurs who already have a business outside the United States and want to expand their operations to the United States. This visa allows the entrepreneur to transfer an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge employee from their foreign business to their U.S. business.

To qualify for the L-1 visa, the entrepreneur must have a qualifying relationship with the U.S. business, such as owning at least 50% of the business, and the employee must have worked for the foreign business for at least one year in the preceding three years. The L-1 visa allows the employee and their family members to live and work in the United States for up to three years, with the possibility of extending the visa for up to seven years.

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

The O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa is available to entrepreneurs who have achieved extraordinary success in their field, such as science, business, or the arts. To qualify for the O-1 visa, the entrepreneur must demonstrate that they have sustained national or international acclaim and that they are coming to the United States to continue their work in their field.

The O-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows the entrepreneur and their family members to live and work in the United States for up to three years, with the possibility of extending the visa for up to five years.

Conclusion

As an immigration attorney, I have seen firsthand the tremendous potential of entrepreneurs and investors to contribute to the U.S. economy and create jobs for American workers. If you are an entrepreneur or investor who wants to come to the United States to start or invest in a business, there are several immigration options available to you. Each option has its own requirements and benefits, so it is important to consult with an experienced immigration attorney to understand whether you qualify in better detail.  Contact our office at (404) 890-0372 for more information.  

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