(iv) Granted for up to two years, with indefinite renewals as long as the business remains operational. (v) Spouses and dependents can accompany the investor, and spouses may apply for work authorization.
10.1.2 EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa (Green Card)
(i) Requires a minimum investment of $1.05 million (or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area).
(ii) Must create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
(iii) L eads to a permanent residency (green card) for the investor, spouse, and children under 21. (iv) The investor is not required to manage daily business operations but must be involved in policy formation. 10.2 Employment-Based Visas for Business Owners and Self-Employed Individuals Entrepreneurs and professionals looking to work for their own business in the U.S. may consider these visa options:
10.2.1 L-1 IntracompanyTransferee Visa
(i) Allows a foreign company to transfer an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge employee to a U.S. subsidiary or affiliate. (ii) The foreign company must be actively operating, and the individual must have worked there for at least one year in the past three years. (iii) Initially granted for one year for new businesses (or up to three years for existing operations), extendable to a maximum of seven years (L-1A) or five years (L-1B). (iv) Ideal for entrepreneurs looking to open a U.S. branch of an established foreign company.
10.2.2 O-1 Visa for Extraordinary Ability
(i) Available to individuals with extraordinary ability in business, science, arts, or athletics.
(ii) Requires proof of sustained national or international acclaim.
(iii) S elf-employed individuals may qualify if they set up a U.S. entity to sponsor their visa.
46
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator