Entrepreneurs seeking to venture into new territories and expand their horizons often look to the United States as a land of boundless opportunities. With its GDP on the rise in 2023, reaching $27.36 trillion, the U.S. remains a favored destination for entrepreneurs worldwide. According to statistics from the Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2022, expenditures to establish new U.S. businesses totaled $3.8 billion, with Canada, the United Kingdom, and France leading as the top investing countries.
Having a presence in the U.S. can offer companies access to top talent, business-friendly regulations, and capital. Expanding to the U.S. can open up numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs, and navigating the complex landscape of U.S. immigration laws is made easier through visa options such as the L-1A, EB-5, and E-2 visas. The L-1A visa, for example, allows entrepreneurs to transfer key employees from their foreign-based company to a U.S. subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office. With a high approval rate, the L-1 visa program aims to facilitate greater investment in the U.S. by multinational companies.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers foreign entrepreneurs a direct path to permanent residency and Green Cards in the U.S. by investing a minimum of $800,000 and creating or maintaining at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. persons. New regulations introduced in March 2022 allow investors to submit their EB-5 and adjustment of status petitions simultaneously, enabling them to live and work in the U.S. before their petition is approved. The E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is another option for entrepreneurs from countries with bilateral investment treaties with the U.S., requiring a substantial investment in a U.S. enterprise and active management of business operations.
With over 330 million people and vast resources, the U.S. remains an attractive destination for foreign companies and entrepreneurs looking to benefit from technological advancements, a talented labor market, and a business-friendly regulatory framework. The L-1, EB-5, and E-2 visas offer distinct pathways for entrepreneurs to expand their business operations into the U.S. By carefully assessing their business goals, financial resources, and eligibility criteria of these immigration options, entrepreneurs can choose the visa option that best suits their needs and objectives, setting the stage for successful ventures in the world’s largest economy. Shai Zamanian, founder of The American Legal Center, U.S. licensed attorney and EB-5 specialist, is a key figure in assisting entrepreneurs in navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration laws and regulations, making their expansion dreams a reality.
