Business and investment visas are visas designed to permit entry of foreign nationals into the United States based on business development as an entrepreneur or business investment. There are multiple visa types made available to entrepreneurs and investors and each has its own set of complex requirements and its own application process. Improper application can not only result in failure to obtain a visa, but it may also jeopardize your ability to enter the country under other visa programs. This is why it’s important for you to retain an immigration attorney to help you with the visa process.
Are Business and Investment Visas the Right Choice For You?
There are numerous visa opportunities for foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States but with a cap on available visas, it’s important that you select the right opportunity for you.
During the fiscal year, a specified number of employment-based immigration visas are issued. These visas are divided into five main categories of which business and investment visas are one. Approximately 7% of the annually issued employment-based visas are granted for the purpose of entrepreneurship and investment.
Types of Business and Investment Visas
There are a variety of business and investment visas available, including:
- EB-5 Regional Center Investment
- EB-5 Direct Investment
- E-2 Work Visa
EB-5 Regional Center Investment
The EB-5 regional center investment program requires a qualifying investment in an EB-5 government-approved regional center for approximately five years. USCIS publishes the current EB-5 investment amounts, which can change. This investment must also provide work for 10 American workers for a span of 2 years. With this type of investment, your money is invested in someone else’s commercial venture which means that it is at risk
EB-5 Direct Investment
The EB-5 direct investment program requires an investment into your own business in the U.S., and USCIS publishes the current EB-5 investment amounts, which can change. This business must employ at least 10 Americans for a period of at least 2 years. Processing times vary, but this type of visa can be combined with the E-2 work visa.
E-2 Work Visa
The E-2 work visa program is one way of getting into the U.S. on an employment visa. This visa is only available if your native country has an investment treaty with the U.S. An E-2 work visa requires that you both own and work for the company in question. The amount that you must invest in this business depends on the industry and sector of the business you are forming in the United States. Read more on the E-2 visa minimum investment amount. There is no fixed amount: the investment must be substantial and proportional to the cost of the business, as explained on the USCIS E-2 Treaty Investors page. How long an E-2 visa is valid depends on the reciprocity schedule for your country of nationality, and E-2 status may be renewed as long as you continue to qualify.
Help with Business and Investment Visas
The best way to determine if a business and investment visa is right for you is to contact an immigration attorney who is well-versed in the different visa types. These attorneys can also assist you in following through with the visa application process and tracking your application requirements. Nelson and Associates are one such attorney operating out of California. To contact attorney Nelson for assistance with your immigration visa questions call 626-683-3451 today!