There are two types of visas ideal for immigrant entrepreneurs: extraordinary ability visas—the EB-1 or O-1—and immigrant investor visas—the EB-5 or E-2. The O-1 and E-2 visas require you to return to your native country after operating a business, but EB-1 or EB-5 visas are permanent residency visas.
Immigrants are gaining a growing representation among small business owners for starting their own businesses.
Non-Immigrant vs. Permanent Visas
Non-immigrant visas grant temporary authorization to enter the country and work here. To continue working here once a temporary visa expires, you have to continuously renew the visa. Different visas have different expiration timeframes and renewal rules. In addition, non-immigrant visas have limits on who can come with you to the country and whether they’re entitled to work here. Examples of non-immigrant visas include the O-1, E-1, E-2, H1-B, L-1
Permanent residency will allow you to get a green card, so you can reside and work indefinitely in the U.S. These entrepreneur visas are a good option for people who want to settle down in the U.S. long-term. Examples of permanent residency visas include the EB-1 and EB-5.
Unless you’re married to a U.S. citizen, in which case you can apply for a family-based green card, you’ll need to apply for an individual or employment-based visa to set up a business in the U.S. There are two sets of visas that are best for entrepreneurs: extraordinary ability visas and investor visas.
Non-immigrant visas grant approval to stay and operate a business temporarily in the United States, but you have to renew them before they expire. Permanent residency visas allow you to stay and operate your business here indefinitely.
The EB-1 and O-1 visas are the two types of extraordinary ability visas. O-1 is a non-immigrant visa that grants temporary status. The EB-1 visa grants permanent residency status and has a higher bar for qualification. Details of all alternatives can be found at https://www.workvisalegal.com/ drop down menu above.