Julian Drago
November 10, 2023
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The US has created a climate that encourages entrepreneurship, with huge markets and a thriving ecosystem for innovative go-getters.
Startups can test their ideas, experiment with new business methods, and use creativity, risk-taking, and adaptability to gain traction. That's why “how to get a US visa for startup founders” is such a common question.
There are a number of US visa options available to startup founders, depending on their individual circumstances and goals. Here are some of the most common options of US visas for startup founders:
The E-1 and E-2 visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals from countries that have treaties with the United States. The E-1 visa is for treaty traders, while the E-2 visa is for treaty investors.
The EB-5 visa is an employment-based immigrant visa for individuals who invest a substantial amount of capital in a new US commercial enterprise that creates jobs for US workers.
To qualify for an EB-5 visa, the founder must invest a minimum of $800,000 in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for US workers.
The L-1 visa is for intracompany transferees, allowing multinational companies to transfer key employees to their US branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
To qualify for an L-1 visa, the founder must be an owner or executive of a foreign company with a qualifying relationship to a US branch or subsidiary. The founder must also have been employed by the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years.
The O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in specific fields, including science, education, business, arts, or athletics.
To qualify for an O-1 visa, the founder must demonstrate that they have extraordinary ability or achievement in their field. This can be done by providing evidence of awards, publications, memberships, or judging roles.
It is important to note that all of these visas have specific eligibility requirements and application processes.
Startup founders should consult with an immigration attorney to determine which visa option is best for them and to help them with the application process.
The US has created a climate that encourages entrepreneurship, with huge markets and a thriving ecosystem for innovative go-getters.
Startups can test their ideas, experiment with new business methods, and use creativity, risk-taking, and adaptability to gain traction. That's why “how to get a US visa for startup founders” is such a common question.
There are a number of US visa options available to startup founders, depending on their individual circumstances and goals. Here are some of the most common options of US visas for startup founders:
The E-1 and E-2 visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals from countries that have treaties with the United States. The E-1 visa is for treaty traders, while the E-2 visa is for treaty investors.
The EB-5 visa is an employment-based immigrant visa for individuals who invest a substantial amount of capital in a new US commercial enterprise that creates jobs for US workers.
To qualify for an EB-5 visa, the founder must invest a minimum of $800,000 in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for US workers.
The L-1 visa is for intracompany transferees, allowing multinational companies to transfer key employees to their US branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
To qualify for an L-1 visa, the founder must be an owner or executive of a foreign company with a qualifying relationship to a US branch or subsidiary. The founder must also have been employed by the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years.
The O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in specific fields, including science, education, business, arts, or athletics.
To qualify for an O-1 visa, the founder must demonstrate that they have extraordinary ability or achievement in their field. This can be done by providing evidence of awards, publications, memberships, or judging roles.
It is important to note that all of these visas have specific eligibility requirements and application processes.
Startup founders should consult with an immigration attorney to determine which visa option is best for them and to help them with the application process.
