Expanding your business to the United States is a strategic move that opens doors to a larger market, global clients, and access to capital.
The key question is: Which visa aligns best with your goals and profile?
Below, we’ll walk you through the three most common pathways for business owners and companies: E-2, EB-5, and L-1A/L-1B visas.
E-2 Visa: Treaty Investor
Best for: Business owners or franchise investors holding a passport from an E-2 treaty country.
Purpose: Allows you to live in the U.S. and operate a business as long as your investment and job creation remain active.
Requirements:
- Make a substantial investment in a real, operating business.
- Demonstrate control and direction of the enterprise (ownership and executive role).
- Suitable for both new ventures and the purchase of existing businesses or franchises.
Advantages: Faster processing in many U.S. consulates and flexibility to scale or pivot your business.
Choose this visa if: You want to enter the U.S. market quickly with an agile, results-oriented structure.
EB-5 Visa: Immigrant Investor (Green Card)
Best for: Investors seeking permanent residency through a job-creating investment in the U.S.
Purpose: Obtain a Green Card for you and your immediate family.
Requirements:
- The investment must create or preserve full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
- You can invest directly in your own company or through Regional Center projects.
Advantages: A clear pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
Choose this visa if: Your goal is to settle permanently in the U.S. and you have a solid business and employment plan.
L-1A & L-1B Visas: Intra-Company Transfer
Best for: Companies with operations outside the U.S. that need to transfer key personnel to their U.S. subsidiary or affiliate.
Purpose:
- L-1A: Transfers executives or managers.
- L-1B: Transfers employees with specialized knowledge.
Requirements:
- There must be a qualifying relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. entity (parent, branch, or subsidiary).
- The transferred employee must have worked for the foreign company beforehand.
Advantages: Facilitates the opening of new offices, accelerates operational setup, and can lead to permanent residency (particularly for L-1A holders).
Choose this visa if: Your business strategy requires moving leaders or specialists quickly to execute your U.S. expansion plan.
How to Choose the Right Visa
- Residency Goal: Do you need permanent residency (EB-5), or do you prefer a faster, non-immigrant option (E-2 or L-1)?
- Entry Model: Are you looking to directly invest and manage a business (E-2/EB-5) or transfer teams to a U.S. branch (L-1)?
- Timeline and Budget: Define your timeframe, investment capacity, and risk tolerance to select the most efficient route.
- Governance and Compliance: Corporate structure, source of funds, contracts, and realistic projections will all be decisive factors.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At Grupo Sineva, we combine business expansion strategy, investment structuring, and immigration advisory to ensure your landing in the U.S. is efficient and measurable.
Let’s discuss your case and design the most suitable plan for your goals — whether it’s E-2, EB-5, or L-1A/L-1B.
Contact us today and start your journey toward the U.S. market.
