Representing Domestic and International Clients
What is an investor visa?
The E Investor Visa allows an individual to carry on their business in the United States if the home country has a commercial treaty with the United States conferring such eligibility. This visa must be renewed every so many years but there is no limit to how many times one can renew.
An investor must contribute to the U.S. economy. The dollar amount of cash investment should normally exceed $50,000, depending on the type of business, although Boyer Law Firm cases have been successful in getting visas as low as $12,000.
Do my relatives get an investor visa?
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, may receive derivative E-2 visas in order to accompany the principal alien.
The spouse of the E2 holder can also apply for employment authorization.
What is an L-1 visa?
The L- visa is available to individuals who are transferred to a U.S. company after having worked at least one of the last three years at a foreign subsidiary, affiliate, branch or parent company.
The L-1 A visa is available to employees who will work in a managerial or executive capacity. This visa is typically granted for an initial period of three years.
The L-1 B visa is available to employees who will work in a position requiring “specialized knowledge.” This visa is typically granted for an initial period of three years.
With the 1990 Immigration Act, Congress has kept aside up to 10,000 visas per year just for alien investors in new commercial enterprises, who will create employment for at least ten individuals. There are two investor groups under the program – people who invest at least $500,000 in “targeted employment areas” (rural areas or areas experiencing high unemployment of at least 150% of the national average) and those who invest $1,000,000 in other areas. Not less than 3,000 of the annual allotment of visas in this category must go to the targeted employment areas.
The E Investor Visa allows an individual to conduct business in the U.S. if their home country has a commercial treaty with the U.S. granting such eligibility. This visa can be renewed multiple times, and the investor must contribute to the U.S. economy. Typically, the cash investment should exceed $50,000, but amounts can vary based on the business type.
Yes, spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, can receive derivative E-2 visas to accompany the primary visa holder. Additionally, the spouse of the E2 holder can apply for employment authorization.
The L-1 visa is for individuals transferred to a U.S. company after working at least one of the last three years at a foreign subsidiary, affiliate, branch, or parent company. The L-1A visa is for managerial or executive roles, while the L-1B visa is for positions requiring specialized knowledge.
The EB5 program allocates up to 10,000 visas annually for alien investors in new commercial enterprises that create employment for at least ten individuals. Investors can either invest $500,000 in targeted employment areas (areas with high unemployment or rural regions) or $1,000,000 in other areas. A minimum of 3,000 visas in this category are reserved for targeted employment areas.
The E-2/E-1 Investor’s Visa is for individuals conducting business in the U.S. based on a commercial treaty between their home country and the U.S. The L-1 visa, on the other hand, is for individuals transferred to a U.S. company after working in a foreign affiliate or parent company. The L-1 visa has two categories: L-1A for managerial/executive roles and L-1B for roles requiring specialized knowledge.
