Investment Immigration
For entrepreneurs and investors seeking to launch a business in the United States or expand an established foreign enterprise into the U.S. market, several immigration pathways may be available. These include the E-2 investor visa for nationals of eligible treaty countries, the E-1 treaty trader visa for individuals engaged in substantial trade in goods or services between their home country and the United States, the L-1A visa for establishing new U.S. offices, and, for qualifying large-scale investments, the EB-5 immigrant investor green card.
Each of these visa categories carries specific legal requirements, including minimum investment thresholds, credible and well-documented business plans demonstrating benefit to the U.S. economy, and, in certain cases, nationality or treaty-based eligibility. Investment-based cases are often complex and documentation-intensive, but Allen Pavlow's team has a strong track record of successfully securing investment visas for clients around the world.
Visas and Greencards for Investors
There are numerous visas and pathways available for those who make investments in the United States, including E-2 visas, L-1A "New Office" Visas, E-1 Visas, and the EB-5 Green Card for Investors. Click on the links below to learn about some of the individual options.
E-2 Nonimmigrant Investor and Employee Visa
A flexible visa for nationals of certain countries who wish to invest in, and actively operate, a U.S. business. Available to those that qualify for a relatively low investment amount, this visa can be used by owners and key employees, and is renewable indefinitely as long as the enterprise remains active and continues to meet E-2 requirements.
L-1A Visa for "New Offices" in the U.S.
The L-1A new-office visa allows an established foreign company send a Manager or Executive to the U.S. for purposes of launching U.S. operations for the first time, or to revive a dormant business operation. This visa is ideal for entrepreneurs and growing businesses that wish to establish their U.S. presence for the first time, and often requires lesser investment (particularly for information technology/service-oriented businesses), than the E-2 Visa.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Green Card
A U.S. green card option for investors who invest at least $800,000–$1.05M into a qualifying business, creating at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs. Often used through large "Regional Center" projects to facilitate easier and more streamlined immigration, but is readily available to entrepreneurs building their own ventures.
The E-1 "Treaty Trader" Visa
The E-1 Visa allows qualifying nationals of treaty countries to live and work in the U.S. based on substantial, ongoing trade of goods or services between their home country and the United States. Although not traditionally thought of as an "investment" visa, in practice this visa often requires at least a basic level of investment by the "trader." This visa is used to support both business owners (“treaty traders”) and key employees, and can be renewed indefinitely as long as trade and the eligibility requirements continue to be met.