Business Immigration Lawyer

BUSINESS IMMIGRATION LAWYERS WITH 60 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

With 60 years of experience in immigration law, from investor visas to employment immigration, the expert attorneys at The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein are committed to guiding you through the business immigration process.

WHY HIRE SPAR & BERNSTEIN FOR BUSINESS IMMIGRATION?

From determining visa eligibility to preparing and filing applications, our business immigration lawyers provide compassionate guidance to ensure timely paperwork and minimum delays.

TYPES OF VISAS TO SUPPORT US BUSINESS GROWTH

Visas supporting the U.S. economy offer opportunities for foreign nationals to invest in, manage or establish businesses. These visas are designed to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.

Options range from temporary nonimmigrant visas for short-term business endeavors to immigrant visas for long-term residence through substantial investments or leadership roles in multinational companies.

E-2 TREATY INVESTOR VISA

The E-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designed for nationals of countries with a treaty of commerce with the U.S.

It allows individuals to enter and work in the U.S. based on their substantial investment in a U.S. business. The investment amount is not fixed and varies based on the industry, location, and business plan.

E-2 Visa Requirements

• You must be a citizen of a country that has a treaty with the U.S.
• You must invest in a U.S. enterprise that has enough resources to ensure the business operates successfully
• You must control at least 50% of the business or have operational control through a managerial position
• Your stay in the U.S. must be exclusively to oversee and manage the company in a leadership or senior supervisory role

E-2 Visa Benefits

• You can bring your immediate family (spouse and children under 21)
• Spouse is eligible for a EAD work permit
• You can renew your visa as long as the business remains operational
• You can travel outside the U.S. while your business is operational

EB-5 IMMIGRANT INVESTOR VISA

The EB-5 is an investor visa providing a pathway to U.S. permanent residency (Green Card) for foreign investors investing in a U.S. business that creates jobs for U.S. workers.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Requirements

• You must invest a minimum of $1,050,000 in a U.S. business or $800,000 if the investment is in a targeted employment area (a high unemployment or rural area)
• Your business must create or keep a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers
• You can create a new commercial enterprise or invest in a restructured or expanded business

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Benefits

• You can obtain a Green Card for yourself, your spouse, and unmarried children under 21
• You can live and work in the U.S.
• You are flexible to manage or invest in a business with no requirement to actively run the company

EB-2 NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER (NIM)

The EB-2 NIW is for individuals with exceptional abilities or advanced degrees whose work can support the national interest of the U.S.

EB-2 NIM Requirements

• You must have an advanced degree or exceptional ability in your field of expertise (business, science, or arts)
• You must demonstrate that your work will substantially benefit the U.S. economy, culture, education, or welfare

EB-2 NIM Benefits

• You can petition for a visa without needing to provide a job offer from an employer or labor certification
• You can apply for a Green Card faster by bypassing the labor certification process
• Your spouse and children can also obtain Green Cards

EB-1C MULTINATIONAL EXECUTIVE OR MANAGER VISA

The EB-1C visa is an immigrant visa meant for executives or managers of multinational companies who are transferred to the U.S. to work for a branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of their overseas company.

EB-1C Multinational Executive or Manager Visa Requirements

• You must have worked for the foreign company for at least one year before applying
• You must be entering the U.S. to continue working in an executive or managerial role
• The U.S. company must be a branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the foreign company

EB-1C Multinational Executive or Manager Visa Benefits

• Your spouse and children are eligible for Green Cards
• You do not need to provide labor certification
• There is no minimum investment requirement
• You can be an owner/employee and still be eligible

L-1 INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER VISA

The L-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows multinational companies to transfer employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office.

L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visa Requirements

• You must have worked for the company for at least one year within the past three years in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge role
• You must be moving to the U.S. to work in a similar capacity for the U.S. branch or affiliate of the company
• The U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company (branch, subsidiary or affiliate)

L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visa Benefits

• Your spouse and children under 21 can come to the U.S. with you
• You can stay in the U.S. for up to seven years if you are an executive/manager (L-1A visa)
• You can stay in the U.S. for up to five years if you are a specialized knowledge worker (L-1B visa)
• You can be an owner/employee and still be eligible
• You can pursue pathways to permanent residency (Green Card) (i.e. EB-1C for Multinational Executive or Manager. See above)

H-1B VISA

The H-1B nonimmigrant visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields such as IT, engineering, finance, and healthcare.

H-1B Visa Requirements

• You must obtain a job offer from a U.S. employer for a role that requires specialized knowledge
• You must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field

H-1B Visa Benefits

• You can pursue permanent residency through employment-based Green Card options
• Your spouse and children under 21 can join you on H-4 visas
• You can change employers if you meet specific requirements

O-1 VISA

The O-1 is a temporary visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities or achievements in fields such as science, arts, education, business or athletics.

O-1 Visa Requirements

• You must demonstrate extraordinary ability with recognized achievements at a national or international level
• You must provide documentation of your achievements, awards or recognition
• You must receive a job offer from a U.S. employer or agent related to the field of expertise

O-1 Visa Benefits

• There is no annual limit on this visa category
• Your family members (spouse and children) can accompany you on O-3 visas
• You can work for multiple employers within your field, provided each employer sponsors the visa