5 Different Types of US Business Visas

Kazmi & Sakata Attorneys at Law

You can begin a business and own a company in the US without a visa and even without coming to the US. It is difficult to open a bank account for a business but often times can also be done from outside the US, which is not totally guaranteed. Running an LLC from outside the country is allowed but may not be allowed without a valid work visa within the US. Being an officer and fulfilling your duties within the US are typically not allowed but being a director and a shareholder of a US company is allowed without any visa. Working for your company or LLC within the US is not allowed without a valid work visa. This may seem confusing to many people, therefore, it is important to consult a business immigration attorney San Diego.

If you are planning to start a business in the US, you will need to obtain one of the US business visas. You can be the manager or the owner of a US company without a visa, but you cannot legally work. If you have your own company without a valid visa, chances are you can be deported without having any right to return and your company will be charged for hiring illegal individuals.

 Types of Business Visas in the US

1. B1

This is a short term business visa. Under B1 you are allowed to negotiate but not to sign any contracts or get hired by another company. You can stay in US for just 6 months.

2. E-1

This is a treaty trader visa. It is valid for starting a business that will do trade with the visa holder's home country. E-1 is a temporary visa and can be renewed until the business is no longer running but it is valid as long as there is a business. If the visa holder has children under age 21, they cannot work and the will lose their status once they get 21 years old.

3. E-2

This is a treaty investor visa. It allows a resident of a treaty country to come to the US to do business. It is also a temporary visa and can be renewed until the business is no longer running but it is valid as long as there is a business. The children of visa holder under 21 of age cannot work and they will lose their status once they turn 21.

4. EB-5

This visa allows eligible immigrants to become lawful permanent residents (green card holders), invest $500k to $1MM on a business, hire at least 10 US residents as employees within 2 years, and survive more than 5 years.

5. L-1

This is an intercompany transfer visa. The beneficiary must be an employee at an executive or mangerial position for a year in last 3 years in a company being a parent, partner, or affiliated with a US organization. Visa-holder can stay in the US up to a year with 3 extensions. These are 5 different work visas you can apply for in the United States. If you want to apply for any of these or other, or have any questions regarding immigration, consider consulting a reputable business immigration attorney San Diego, who will help you find success in your immigration process and prosper as an employer or employee in the US.

Read Our Latest Blog : 10 Ways Immigrants Strengthen the U.S. Economy

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