Entrepreneurs & Investors

Entrepreneurs and investors from treaty-eligible or investment-based backgrounds may qualify for several temporary and permanent U.S. immigration options. These pathways are designed for individuals who direct, develop, or invest in businesses in the United States and who play a substantial role in the enterprise’s success.

Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Visa Options

E-1 Treaty Trader
The E-1 visa is available to nationals of treaty countries who engage in substantial international trade between the U.S. and the treaty country. Applicants must demonstrate that the trading enterprise is active, ongoing, and that they will serve in an executive, supervisory, or essential skills capacity.

E-2 Treaty Investor
The E-2 visa allows nationals of treaty countries to develop and direct a U.S. business in which they have made a substantial investment. The business must be real and operating, and the applicant must show the enterprise will generate more than minimal income (i.e., not be “marginal”). Employees in executive, supervisory, or essential skills roles may also qualify.

Other Temporary Visa Classifications

Depending on expertise and job duties, additional temporary options may include:

L-1 – for intracompany transferees who own or work for multinational companies abroad in managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge roles.
O-1 – for individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in entrepreneurship and business, or related fields.

Permanent Residency (Green Card) Options

Entrepreneurs and Investors may qualify for employment based permanent residence through several pathways:

EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)– for top-tier entrepreneurs and investors who can demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim.
EB-1C (Multinational Manager or Executive) – for individuals who serve as managers or executives in multinational companies.
EB-2/EB-3 (PERM)– Most entrepreneurs and investors may pursue traditional employment-based sponsorship depending on degree requirements and experience.
EB-2 National Interest Waivers (NIWs) – some entrepreneurs and investors may qualify for permanent residence without an employer sponsored PERM process if they can show that their work has substantial merit, is beneficial to the United States, and that waiving the standard labor certification process is in the national interest.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program– for investors to obtain permanent residency by making a qualifying investment in a U.S. business that creates at least ten fulltime jobs for U.S. workers.