Visa Choices for Entrepreneurs to start a Business in U.S.A

The United States is a hub of global commerce which attracts millions of foreign entrepreneurs to set up a business. In 2013, President Obama publicly recognized the benefits of foreign business investments in the U.S. and declared that the U.S. is “open for business.” 

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Because of different benefits such as tax benefits and governmental incentives. Many businesses do company registration in the USA. But to run a business in the country you must have a business visa of the USA along with a registered license. The purpose of your business or visit will decide the type of visa. Below is a complete guide of visas shared for different purposes. Check to know which visa works best for you. 

Types of Visa Required in the USA for Different Businesses

There are two types of visa for business in the USA which are required to visit. First is a permanent visa which helps you to become a citizen of the United States and to set up your business in any part of the country. Second is a Temporary visa. These visas have a time limit such as 6 months, 1 year, 3 years and so on. 

After this time, you have to renew your visa, if want to stay longer in the country. Below are five different types of visas that are required as per the different requirements of the business, employee or individual.

1. B-1 Temporary Business Visa

The foreigners are allowed to stay in the U.S.A. for up to six months on a B-1 or B-2 visa, but the B-1 visa allows the foreigner to conduct business. Those who do not qualify for a waiver, consider the B-1 visa a great option for a temporary stay to conduct business. 

Here you will be eligible for a business visa of the USA. If you participate in business activities of a commercial or professional nature in the United States, including, but not limited to:

• Consulting with business associates.
• Settling an estate.
• Negotiating a contract.
• Participating in short-term training.
• Certain persons may transit the United States with a B-1 visa.
• Certain air crewmen may enter the United States as deadhead crew with a B-1 visa.
• Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates.

Note: B-1 visa can also be extended once by six months. Only allows the foreign entrepreneur to conduct business, and not to work for another person or business like an employee.

2. L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager Visa

If you are a manager or an executive of a foreign company, then the L-1A Visa is for you. When a manager or executive is transferred to the company’s US offices then on the basis of this visa they can get into the boundaries of the USA. The L-1A visa is a type of L1 visa that allows companies to do intracompany transfers. 

Also, they get the visa for the purpose of establishing a new US branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their organization. Once they have proven to belong to a legitimate business. Managers and executives with specialized knowledge can come to the U.S.A. on an L-1B visa for up to three years.

3. E2 - Treaty Investor Visa

An individual can enter into the USA in two ways: first nonimmigrant visas are for temporary stays, and second immigrant visas are for permanent residency.  The E-1 Treaty Trader, E-2 Treaty Investor, and E-3 Australian in Specialty Occupation visas. These are available to citizens of countries with which the United States has treaties of commerce and navigation. To be eligible for an E-visa, you must:

• Engage in substantial trade, including trade in services or technology.
• Develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which you have invested a substantial amount of capital.
• Be a national of Australia working solely in a speciality occupation.

4. EB-5 - Investor Green Card Program

In 1990, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created to attract foreign investment for economic growth because of job creation in the United States. The program allows foreign nationals to make a qualifying investment into a new or existing US commercial enterprise that creates 10 US jobs to obtain a Green Card. 

This entrepreneur visa in the USA helps Investors and their families gain permanent residency. To live and work anywhere in the United States. One EB-5 investment allows the main applicant, spouse, and any unwed children under the age of 21 to obtain Green Cards.

Benefits of the EB-5 Program

• Green Card is for investors, their spouses, and children under the age of 21 at the time of application.
• Path to US Citizenship.
• Can work, travel, and live anywhere in the United States.
• Enter and exit the US as a permanent resident.
• Start a business in the US without immigration restrictions on the enterprise.
• Children of Investors may study in the US Public School System.
• No language or professional experience requirements.
• Depending on the immigrant’s country of birth the EB-5 may be the fastest way to get a Green Card in comparison to other paths like the EB-2/3.

5. Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program allow citizens of 40 countries to visit the USA for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. In return, expect the same from those 40 countries to provide permits to USA citizens and nationals. To travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business in the USA or tourism purposes.

This is the best entrepreneur visa in the USA to visit the country for the short term for the following reasons:

• Attending business meetings or consultations
• Attending a business convention or conference
• Negotiating contracts

Note: Under this Visa Waiver Program, foreign entrepreneurs entry is allowed into the U.S.A. several times with a waiver before needing to apply for an actual visa.

Conclusion

To conclude, the reason behind visiting the United States can be anything such as setting up a business, company registration in the USA, visiting for a temporary business reason or joining an intracompany's branch. Having a business visa of the USA is required and without the visa, you are not allowed to visit the USA.

At Registrationwala, we help you with the complete procedure of business registration in the USA. From application, and documentation to finally obtaining the certificate. Having a valid business license is also required to run a business in the USA.

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.