Technology startups have turn out to be increasingly popular in recent times, with many entrepreneurs all for moving to the US to begin a business. Nonetheless, the US immigration process will be complex and overwhelming.
On this blog post, we’ll discuss the varied options available to tech startup founders who’re considering immigrating to the US. We are going to take a look at the several pathways to immigrate to the US and the qualifications and requirements for every.
Step 1. Start your research early
Obtaining a nonimmigrant or temporary U.S. visa can often be step one in preparing to file an immigration application. Start your research early. This post will allow you to learn more concerning the visa options available that may work best for you.
Step 2. Start with a non-immigrant visa
A nonimmigrant visa is a document that permits a foreign national to travel to the US for a brief period for a selected purpose. Temporary work visas could also be an option for tech startup founders who must remain within the U.S. but don’t yet qualify for everlasting residency.
Below we’ll discuss the differing types of temporary work visas available and the necessities for obtaining a visa. Read on to learn more concerning the options available.
Non-immigrant (temporary) visa options.
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E-1/E-2. The E-1 Treaty Trade Visa is an incredible option for people or firms that conduct significant trade between two countries which have signed a trade and navigation treaty. To qualify, a covered trader must trade internationally in “substantial” volumes, which generally signifies that the trade is regular and continuous and constitutes a crucial a part of the business. E-1 visa holders can stay within the U.S. for as much as two years at a time, and the visa will be prolonged indefinitely. Moreover, E-1 visa holders can bring their spouse and youngsters to live with them within the US. You will discover the list of eligible countries here E-1 visa article.
In case you plan to begin and operate a business in the US and have already invested or are within the strategy of investing a big sum of money, chances are you’ll apply for a Treaty Investor Visa (E-2). This visa will be renewed every five years with none restrictions. E-1 i E-2 visa are somewhat similar and you may apply for either of them depending in your running history.
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L-1A. The L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager visa is an incredible way for foreign executives or managers to work temporarily in the US for a branch, affiliate, subsidiary or parent company of a foreign employer. To be eligible for an L-1A visa, a foreign national should have been employed abroad for at the very least one among the last three years and have to be traveling to the U.S. to work in a managerial or executive position.
The L-1A visa allows a foreign executive or manager to remain within the U.S. for as much as seven years, with the choice to increase the visa if vital. As well as, the spouse and single children under 21 years of age of the foreign director or manager are eligible for an L-2 visa and will accompany them to the US.
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L-1B. The L-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa for people who’ve specialized knowledge and have been employed by an eligible organization abroad for at the very least one continuous 12 months within the three years prior to receiving the visa. This visa allows the worker to determine a branch of the identical company within the US, if one doesn’t exist already. To open a brand new branch, the employer must provide evidence of the worker’s qualifications and expertise. The initial stay for those wishing to establish a brand new office is proscribed to 1 12 months, and all other qualified employees have an initial stay of three years. Extensions of stay for L-1B visa holders could also be granted in two-year increments, as much as a complete of 5 years.
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H-1B. The H-1B visa is a variety of nonimmigrant visa that permits American employers to rent foreign specialists for a specified time period. The H-1B visa will be issued for an initial period of three years and will be prolonged for a complete of six years. The visa is meant for people working in specialized professions or models with outstanding merits and skills. Employers must apply to sponsor foreign nationals for temporary employment within the US
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TN. The TN visa is meant for professionals from Canada and Mexico who want to enter the US temporarily. To be eligible for a visa, applicants must give you the option to exhibit that the position they’re applying for is on the approved list of NAFTA TN visa occupations. Moreover, prior to submitting a visa application, arrangements have to be made between the potential employer and the nonimmigrant visa applicant. To qualify, candidates should have the vital qualifications, certifications and meet the standards related to their specific career. The TN visa is valid for up to a few years and will be prolonged indefinitely.
Step 3. Select the immigrant category that suits you best
Before you start the strategy of applying for everlasting residence, it will be significant to familiarize yourself with the several immigration options available to you. Each category has its own specific requirements, so it is vital to decide on the choice with the best probability of approval.
Immigrant (Everlasting Resident) Options.
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EB-5. The entire cost of the EB-5 process features a minimum investment amount of $800,000 for projects positioned in Goal Employment Areas (TEAs), that are rural and high-unemployment areas, or $1,050,000 if the project is positioned elsewhere. The success of the EB-5 program may rely on quite a lot of aspects. For fiscal years 2018 through 2020, the I-526 application approval rates were 92%, 90%, 78%, and 75%, respectively. Residents of any country can apply for an EB-5 immigrant and investor visa.
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EB-1C. EB-1C visas are intended for certain international managers or executives. To qualify, you need to be a manager or director of an organization abroad that has some connection to the US, or you need to already be employed in the US. To be eligible for the EB-1C exam, the business entity you worked for have to be affiliated with or have a branch or subsidiary of a U.S. company. The corporate you worked for abroad have to be the identical company you’re employed by within the US.
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EB-1A. The EB-1A visa is meant for individuals with exceptional talents. To qualify for the EB-1A exam, you need to exhibit extraordinary ability within the fields of science, art, education, business, or athletics. This will be demonstrated in quite a lot of ways, but each have to be supported by significant recognition at national or international level.
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EB-2 YEAR. Obtaining a National Interest Waiver (NIW) means that you can turn out to be a lawful everlasting resident (LPR) of the US with an EB-2 green card, without requiring employer sponsorship or proof of employment. To qualify for the NIW, three key criteria have to be met: the explanation for applying for the NIW have to be demonstrated to be of national importance; you need to exhibit that you’ve gotten the flexibility and position to implement your plan; and it have to be determined that the US will profit out of your individual role that justifies waiving the job offer requirement.
Step 4. Start constructing your case
In case you are a tech startup founder applying for a non-immigrant or immigrant visa, you need to exhibit your eligibility by providing strong evidence to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is finished by collecting, organizing and compiling large numbers of documents. The earlier you begin constructing your case, the more likely it’s that your visa shall be approved.
Step 5. Be positive!
The US immigration process will be intimidating and stressful, but don’t let it get you down. Many foreign entrepreneurs have made their American dreams come true, and you may too! Keep a positive attitude and picture your success.
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