Investment visas offer foreign entrepreneurs and professionals the opportunity to establish and operate businesses in the United States.
AT Montano-Miranda PA, we have extensive experience in managing investment visas, which provide significant benefits both for the investor and their immediate family.
Below are the main categories of investment visas:
(Click on the title of each category to display the information)
The E-1 visa is designed for citizens of countries that maintain a commerce treaty with the United States and who conduct substantial trade in goods, services, or technology between their home country and the U.S. The applicant must be a national of the treaty country and play a key role in the business, such as an owner, executive, or specialized employee.
Benefits:
- Allows you to live and work in the U.S. while managing international trade.
- Requires a minimal investment and substantial volume of trade.
- Can be renewed indefinitely as long as the commercial activity continues.
- Spouses may apply for work authorization, and children under 21 may accompany the applicant.
The E-2 visa is for nationals of countries that maintain an investment treaty with the U.S. and who make a substantial investment in a business active in U.S. The investment must be significant, typically in a new or existing business, and the applicant must have an active role in managing the enterprise.
Benefits:
- Flexibility to invest in a wide range of businesses, from small enterprises to large projects.
- No set minimum investment, but it must be sufficient to ensure the business’s success (“substantiality” requirement).
- Unlimited renewals as long as the business remains operational and compliant.
- Spouses may apply for work authorization, and children under 21 may reside in the U.S.
- Requires documentation of the source of funds.
The L-1A visa allows multinational companies to transfer executives or managers from a foreign office to a U.S. branch, affiliate, or parent company. The applicant must have worked for the foreign entity for at least one year within the past three years in an executive or managerial position.
Benefits:
- Ideal for companies seeking to expand or establish operations in the U.S.
- No minimum investment required, but the company must demonstrate operational viability.
- May lead to permanent residency under the EB-1C category (Multinational Executive).
- Spouses may apply for work authorization (L-2 visa), and children under 21 may accompany the applicant.
The EB-5 visa provides a direct path to permanent residency for investors who invest a minimum of $1.05 million (or $800,000 in high-unemployment or rural areas) in a commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. The investment can be made directly or through an approved regional center.
Benefits:
- Direct path to a Green Card for the investor, spouse, and children under 21.
- No need for prior management experience or active involvement (if investing through a regional center).
- Freedom to live anywhere in the U.S. with no geographic restrictions.
- Access to all benefits of permanent residency, including unrestricted work and education.
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