Visas for Entrepreneurs in San Francisco & San Jose
Let Hurtubise Weber Law LLP help you apply for a business or investment
visa. We can help - call us to request a consultation today!
Start-ups and entrepreneurs are in a fluid state, and U.S. immigration law offers no obvious visa path for them.
We consider these challenges to be opportunities, and we work with you to develop and execute the best strategy for your new venture.
New Office L-1 Visa
This visa allows entrepreneurs with an existing foreign company to start an a new company in the U.S.
The foreign company must have existed for at least year and be able to continue existing without the visa applicant
The foreign company must have a qualifying relationship with the new US company (parent, subsidiary, branch, affiliate)
The employee must have worked overseas for the foreign employer for at least one continuous year within the last three years
The employee must have worked as an executive or manager (L1-A) or be a worker with specialized knowledge (L1-B)
New U.S. company must have physical premises and high likelihood of success
Issued for one year with possibility of renewal up to 7 or 5 years
The O-1A Visa for Extraordinary Ability
Beneficiary must demonstrate extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim in their field. Definition of field is critical.
Must establish three of the following eight qualifications (in practice, must show evidence of at least five).
Scholarly articles
Salary higher than industry standard
Judge or panelist of a major competition
Employment at distinguished company
National or international awards
Published articles about the beneficiary
Membership in an organization that requires application or nomination
Original contributions of major significance to your field
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Requirements
US entity must be at least 50% owned by treaty country nationals
Investment funds must come from treaty national owners and be from a legitimate source
Can purchase existing business or franchise, or create new business
Investment must be a substantial portion of the amount necessary to start that type of business
Investment must be “at risk” and committed to the business - real estate does not qualify
E Treaty Visa Countries
1 - Only E-1 visa available (for traders in import/export business)
2 - Only E-2 visa available only
Employment Visas
It is possible, in certain circumstances, that employment visa is the best option for your company
Founder must be an employee of the company, as shown by the company's ability to fire the employee
See Employment Visas page for more information
What Can You Do on a B-1 Visa?
Both the B visa and ESTA/visa waiver allow people to come here for business reasons. U.S. immigration officials consider "business" as distinct from "work" - a distinction not always so clear to visa holders
You Can:
Attend team meetings, conferences, trade shows and training events
Arrange funding and meet with investors
Form a legal U.S. company, sign a lease and open a bank accountHhire staff
Participate in an accelerator program
You Cannot:
Engage in activities that would constitute domestic employment
Get paid by a US company (but covering travel expenses is okay)