Immigration Services Business Immigration in Houston Texas
The U.S. is always seeking to attract investments into the country. To this end, it has a range of visas designed for business people, investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers. Here is an insight into the four visa programs that will help you work or set up a business in the U.S.
- EB-5 Visa (The Million-Dollar Greencard)
The EB-5 visa program is dubbed the million-dollar green card as it is suited for investors with deep pockets. It allows investors to set up businesses in the U.S., but it comes with price tags ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000.
The EB-5 visa program was designed to attract investments in areas with low development and/or high unemployment levels. To this end, there are limitations regarding exactly where you can invest. Some of the important criteria of this visa program are:
- The money you intend to invest must come from a legitimate source
- The business you invest in must create jobs for American citizens
- The amount you invest must be between $500,000 and $1,000,000 – this depends on the geographical region you invest in
The EB-5 visa program has complex legal guidelines, but it comes with a wide range of privileges. For instance, you get to relocate to the U.S. as your green card application gets processed. Additionally, you can bring immediate family members with you (as long as they meet the requirements). Finally, you will likely profit from your investment (that is if you invest wisely).
However, there is a huge backlog of EB-5 visa applications, so it may take several years to get processed depending on the government’s cap.
- E-2 Investor Visa
The E-2 investor visa program is designed for investors seeking to not only start businesses in the U.S. but also oversee their operations. It is categorized as a non-immigrant visa program, but it grants investors indefinite stay in the country as long as they are running their business activities.
Unlike the EB-5 visa program, the E-2 investor visa program does not have a cap over how much you can invest. To this end, the amount you will invest will depend on the size of your business – it can be as low as $50,000 or as high as $1 million. What’s more, there are no requirements regarding how many people you should employ. That said, certain requirements vary from application to application.
As mentioned, this visa program is categorized as a non-immigrant program – this means that you do not qualify for a green card. However, you can still bring your spouse and kids with you as long as they meet the set requirements. What’s more, your spouse qualifies for employment in any field as long as he/she is qualified.
- L-Visa
The L-Visa is designed for expatriates seeking to work in the U.S. It allows people affiliated to a U.S. company to move to the U.S. to go about their duties. The L-Visa program is limited to employees in executive and managerial positions.
However, there doesn’t have to be an affiliate company in the U.S. for one to qualify for this program. That said, you can only qualify for the program if you are seriously considering opening an affiliate office in the country – essentially, in this case, you come to the U.S. as your company’s ambassador.
This program is categorized as a non-immigrant program that does not qualify you for a green card. What’s more, you cannot bring your spouse or children with you, and the duration of your stay lasts only as long as your purpose of visit does.
- H-1B Visa
In spite of the current unemployment rates across the U.S., there is a looming shortage of skilled workers. The H-1B visa program is designed to enable skilled workers to move to the U.S. briefly to fill in these gaps.
This visa program requires the applicant to hold a degree and possess some level of experience. The application can be filed either by the worker or his/her employee – it is usually done by the latter as it is easier. This program grants the applicant a maximum of six years working in the U.S., and applicants can always renew when the time lapses.
This program is categorized as a non-immigrant program, meaning that applicants do not qualify for a green card. What’s more, it lacks most of the privileges associated with the other programs reviewed in this article. Additionally, the applicants have to contend with lower wages and fewer benefits from their employees.
Take the Sure Path – Consult the Experts
The chances of qualifying for any of these visa programs depend on how well you go about the application process. To maximize your chances, it is recommended to work with a reputable law firm.
RunRex.com is one of the most reputable law firms in Houston, Texas. It has helped thousands of foreigners move to the U.S. for work purposes, and it can do the same for you. Get in touch with the firm’s customer care department and get deeper insight into what it will take for you to move to the U.S.as an entrepreneur, investor, or worker.