US Entrepreneur Visas
The United States is very welcoming of business owners and entrepreneurs. In fact there are many different visa routes for entrepreneurs to live and work in the United States.
US Entrepreneur Visas
The E2 Visa permits an entrepreneur to move to the United States for the purposes of investing in and operating a business. You must invest a sizable sum, usually upwards of around $100,000 and present a business plan to demonstrate how you will manage and develop that business. Entrepreneurs holding E2 visas can bring their spouse and any children under the age of 21 with them to the United States. Your spouse is permitted to work in the United States. The main requirement of the E2 visa is that you must be a citizen of an E2 treaty country (click here to find out if you country has an E2 treaty with the United States). If you are not a citizen of an E2 treaty country, you can first obtain citizenship of an E2 country. Grenada and Turkey are both E2 countries with fast pathways to citizenship by investment.
Entrepreneurs who have already started their business overseas and seek to expand to the US can use the E2 visa route, but they may also use the L1 visa route, which is for intracompany transfers. Under the L1 visa rules, it is permitted to establish a new US office of your company and transfer eligible staff – including the entrepreneur/owner – to the United States to work in that office. The L1A visa is for managers and executives and the L1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge. The L1 visa is renewable up to a maximum of seven years for L1A visas and five years. During or after this time it is possible to seek a Green Card.
The EB1C is similar to the L1A visa in that it targets global managers and executives. The main difference that the EB1C visa is a permanent residency visa (Green Card) and the L1 Visa is a temporary work visa. Many EB1C visa holders initially start out with an L1 application and transition to an EB1C at a later stage – especially as the EB1C route does not permit a new office filing.
Entrepreneurs seeking to rapidly grow a firm in the United States are permitted to apply for the International Entrepreneur Parole Program. Parole is not a visa, it simply permits the entrepreneur to be in the United States for thirty months, with the option of extending for an additional thirty months. The entrepreneur must have a stake in a US startup and should be able to demonstrate that it has the potential to scale rapidly.
Under the US EB5 Investor Visa, entrepreneurs can invest a minimum $800,000 in return for US Green Cards for themselves, a spouse, and any children under the age of 21. The investment must be in a new commercial enterprise and must create ten jobs. Under the Direct EB5 route an investor can make and manage their own investment. However, others opt for the Regional Center route, which assists with compliance with the rules of the program. This allows the entrepreneur to pursue their own business interests in the United States without worrying about maintaining ten employees on payroll.
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New York Office
1 World Trade Center,Suite 8500 New York, NY 10007
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Los Angeles Office
601 South Figueroa Street Suite 4050 Los Angeles, CA 90017
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Chicago Office
155 N. Upper Wacker Dr. Suite 4250 Chicago, IL 60606
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Miami Office
80 S.W. 8th St Suite 2000 Miami, FL 33130
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1075 Peachtree Street NE Suite 3650 Atlanta, GA 30309
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New York Office
+1 212 537 9196
Chicago Office
+1 312 803 6950
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+1 305 423 7163
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I had a great experience with Davies & Associates. They are very thorough in the approach and their have experts in this field who know the domain very well.I would certainly be leaning onto them for any future needs as well.
Thanks to them for handling my E2 visa very professionally. I had a study visa from F1 and changed it to E2. I encountered many problems during the application process. Verdie and Etta were very patient in helping me and it took a long time. I highly recommend this place.
Outstanding Immigration Attorney: Highly Recommended! Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) I had the pleasure of working with Verdie Atienza and his team at Davies & Associates , a top-notch immigration attorney in the United States. Their professionalism, expertise, and dedication throughout the process were exceptional. With in-depth knowledge of immigration law, they provided accurate advice and addressed all my concerns, instilling confidence. Verdie Atienza and his team meticulously reviewed my documentation and maintained excellent communication, keeping me updated regularly. What sets Davies & Associates apart is their unparalleled attention to detail. Communication with Verdie Atienza and his team in USA and Sukanya Raman in India was always prompt and efficient. They promptly returned my calls and emails, providing regular updates on the progress of my case. This level of responsiveness and transparency significantly reduced my stress levels, as I knew I could rely on their support and guidance throughout the entire process. Their personalized approach, ethical conduct, and genuine care for my success made them an outstanding attorney. I highly recommend Davies & Associates for all your immigration needs.
Getting my E2 Visa was a very in-depth process that took just over a year from when I committed to it, but 8 months from when I found a business I wanted to purchase. The only reason I'm giving 4 and not 5 stars is because the timeframe was a lot longer than expected from the initial information. Aside from the timing, Verdie and his team led me through the Visa process, providing all the guidance I needed to be successful, including advising me on the RIGHT type of Visa to suit my goals. Within the process I purchased a business and the greater Davies team included lawyer Rinat who helped me put the deal together. One of the biggest parts was my Business Plan which created from my info by Ana Ortiz, who did an incredible job. The process is certainly tedious and Verdie & Christina were always there to answer my questions, provide suggestions and advice and ensure I had all the documents I needed to support my application. I appreciated their patience with my questions and their advice and in the end, the application was so thorough the interview process was quick and easy. I highly recommend Davies & Associates and look forward to working with them again when it's time to renew my Visa.
We were in a hurry and Verdie and the team were highly responsive and supportive, even when we threw in some curve balls along the way. We had our visas approved without any issues and felt confident and well prepared for document submissions and the interview. I'd certainly recommend this team for an E2 visa process.
Looking for US Entrepreneur Visas?
We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas, we solve the most complex immigration problems for businesses, investors, individuals, and families.
US Entrepreneur Visas Immigration lawyer near meSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand.
Individual seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaD&A was very detail-oriented and was very thorough in what they did” L1 Visa Client. There was a lot of work on my case and worked on it 24/7 and was very patient answering all my questions.
E2 Visa ClientMy case felt complex but D&A managed the whole process carefully and helped me move seamlessly from one stage to the next.
E2 + CBI ClientD&A was my guiding light through the entire EB5 Process.
EB5 Visa ClientI would definitely be a big advocate for the rest of my life for anyone wanting to explore the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme leading to the E2 Visa. The most important thing is a good team behind you.. with Davies & Associates you’re in safe hands… you need someone who can give you all the support at the ground level and, again, you are well take care of by D&A. The people are really warm, very helpful and quite openminded when it comes to business… Not to mention as a passport it’s great from a travel perspective…It’s just 4/5 hours from New York.
Grenada CBI + E2 Visa ClientThe entire process of getting an EB5 visa is handled in a professional way by Mark Davies and his team. EB5 is a wonderful option for anyone considering moving to the United States if you have the means. I was hoping to use the H1B route for my children, but it became unreliable and so I looked to the EB5 Visa instead. It is great for anyone who has the resources. Mark gives you the first meetings himself which gives you great comfort. Both Mark and Sanjay are abundantly available and I even had the pleasure of hosting them at my house.
Parent of 2 EB5 Visa HoldersI'm in a process of extending my L1 visa. I submitted a few questions regarding my case and he contacted me back almost immediately both by e-mail and telephone. Unlike other attorneys I met before, he gave me the impression of knowing from the top of his head what kind of visa I have, and what actions had to be taken to extend it. He is very thorough and clear regarding the process and what to expect in terms of timelines and issues that may arise. He is constantly in contact, so you definitely know he's working on your case.
L1B Visa HolderMark Davies is a joy to work with. His extensive knowledge, speedy response and attentive service took away all my fears of dealing with immigration and visa applications. He is very generous with his time in explaining every step along the way and I have already and will in the future recommend him to anybody who is looking for an immigration lawyer.
E2 Visa for Small Professional Business With International OfficesDavies & Associates assisted us with an immigration emergency involving my brother's fiancée who was outside the United States. They assisted us in an highly professional manner, working with the relevant US embassy, US immigration and the governments of two other countries. As a result of their efforts the individual involved is now working in the United States. While their knowledge of the law is exemplary what really distinguishes this firm and attorney Davies from any other firm we have worked with is their dedication to customer service and their unrivaled level of professionalism.
Complex Fiancée Visa Need Involving Multiple International JurisdictionsSeveral lawyers told me I would not be able to get a TN visa. Two weeks after contacting Davies & Associates I was working in New York, visa in hand. I have recommended this firm to several friends and colleagues, they do an excellent job every time.
Individual Seeking 'Impossible' TN VisaI was qualified as a physician in a foreign country. Being on a J1 visa I was facing having to leave the United States and return to my home country. Davies & Associates secured one of only 30 J1 visa waivers available in my State, allowing me to work for a US hospital and remain in the United States.
Doctor Seeking J1 Visa WaiverI am very satisfied with the services Mark Davies has provided me. He has a very extensive knowledge in immigration laws and has a thorough approach to any case.
U Visa Applicant, A Victim of CrimeLooking to relocate or having trouble with a visa applicaton?
We are known for our creative solutions that obtain "impossible" visas, we solve the most complex immigration problems for business, investors, individuals and families.
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