Investor Visa Lawyer USA: E-2, EB-5, L-1 Business Immigration Attorney
Are you ready to secure your future in the U.S. through strategic capital investment? As a premier Investor Visa Lawyer USA, specializing in investment immigration, our firm offers an unparalleled level of expertise. Led by a Board Certified Expert in International Law, we provide comprehensive legal and financial strategies for the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, EB-5 Immigrant Investor Green Card, L-1 Investor Visa, and more.
Whether you are launching a new enterprise or acquiring an existing business, partner with a law firm that combines expert legal knowledge with Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)-level business valuation to maximize your chance of visa approval.
We provide strategic investment immigration counsel for entrepreneurs and foreign investors immigrating to the United States.
Our Comprehensive Investor Visa Legal Services
Looking to secure an investment visa or green card through business investment? We go beyond traditional legal services to provide a comprehensive service for your investment immigration journey.
| Service Area | Detailed Support Provided |
|---|---|
| Company Formation & Business Structuring | We help you establish a compliant U.S. business entity suitable for your specific visa goals (E-2, EB-5, L-1), ensuring adherence to all relevant state and federal regulations. |
| Commercial Contracts & Agreements | Our team drafts and reviews commercial contracts to protect your interests and ensure all business documentation supports your investor visa petition. |
| Permits & Licensing | We assist with obtaining all necessary operational permits and licenses required for your business to legally operate in the United States. |
| Investment Planning & Strategy | We develop a sound, comprehensive business plan that meticulously meets all USCIS requirements and, when necessary, advise on capital raising strategies or third-party investment offerings. |
| Intellectual Property Protection | We safeguard your key assets through essential Trademark and Copyright registration and protection services. |
| Contract Review | We review all business contracts to identify and mitigate potential legal and financial risks upfront. |
Differentiating Financial Expertise: Business Plans & Valuation by a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Our team includes a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), providing critical support in:
| Financial Expertise | Investor Visa Advantage |
|---|---|
| Business Valuation: | Obtain a professional, expert valuation of your business, addressing the “substantial investment” and “non-marginality” requirements for visa officers. |
| Business Plan Development: | Craft a compelling, financially sound business plan that demonstrates the viability and job-creation capacity required for approval. |
| Legal & Financial Due Diligence: | Comprehensive legal and financial review to minimize investment risks and uncover any issues before the petition is filed. |
Unmatched Financial Due Diligence:
Our team includes a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) with extensive E-2 and EB-5 business valuation expertise. This unique financial credential allows us to provide expert analysis directly to USCIS and DOS, significantly minimizing RFEs (Requests for Evidence).
Comparative Benefits of Key U.S. Investor Visas (E2, EB5, L1)
| Visa Type | Primary Benefits and Flexibility |
|---|---|
| E-2 Treaty Investor Visa | Work for your own US business; No minimum investment required (typically $50,000+); Indefinite renewals possible; Spouse receives unrestricted work authorization. Only available to nationals of E-2 treaty countries. |
| EB-5 Immigrant Investor (Green Card) | Path to Permanent Residence (Green Card) for investor, spouse, and children; Spouse and children can live, work, and study anywhere in the U.S.; No active management required (Regional Center route). Option to work for your own US business (Direct EB-5 route). Minimum investment required (typically $800,000+) |
| L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa | Lower investment amount (compared to E-2); Ideal for treaty and non-treaty nationals with business abroad; Dual intent; Allows transfer of foreign executives/managers. |
| E-1 Treaty Trader Visa | No minimum investment required; Only available to nationals of treaty countries; Must have substantial trade with the US; Unlimited visa renewals; Spouse receives unrestricted work authorization. |
Our investor visa lawyer use business and immigration expertise to advise you on all aspects of business and investment immigration, capital raising and daily business operations.
Anda Malescu, Immigration Lawyer, Board Certified Expert in International Law
Our experienced investor lawyer specializes in all areas of investor immigration law, helping you, your family, and employees navigate the process with ease. We offer comprehensive legal support for a wide range of investor visas and green cards, including:
Our investor visa services include:
- EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Green Card
Specialized Investor Visas & Green Card Programs We Handle
Are you an international investor looking to start a business in US, invest in real estate or expand your existing company in the US? Investor visas offer a gateway to these opportunities. Our investor visa lawyer’s guide provides essential information about US investor visas.
Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the four most popular US investor visas including E-2 investor visa, EB-5 investor green card, L-1 investment visa and E-1 trade investor visa.
For each visa type, we discuss requirements, application process, advantages and important considerations. This guide provides you the essential information you need to understand which visa is most suitable for you.
1. E-2 Treaty Investor Visa: Requirements, Benefits, and Process
The E-2 Investor Visa is a great investment immigration option for the USA for individuals who have access to capital and want to move to the United States to manage their own business. Unlike the EB-5 investor green card, there is no minimum investment requirement for the E-2 investor visa. However, to qualify for E-2 investor visa, it is recommended that foreign investors do not invest less than $50,000.
The E-2 investor visa allows a national of a treaty country to live and work in the United States in order to develop and direct a U.S business. To be eligible for an E-2 Investor Visa, the investor or entrepreneur must be a national of a treaty country. For a current list of countries that qualify for an E-2 Investor Visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Treaty Countries List.
In addition to being a national of a treaty country, the investor or entrepreneur must invest a substantial amount of capital in a business in the United States and be in a position to develop and direct the specific business in order to qualify for an Investor Visa. Certain employees of such an investor or entrepreneur or of a qualifying organization may also be eligible for E-2 Investor Visas.
Our investor visa lawyer explains that the E-2 investor visa does not automatically lead to a green card. However, investors can always pursue a green card while holding an E-2 investor visa. We have successfully transitioned investors on E2 visas to EB1C green card. Other green card options are also available to E2 visa holders.
To obtain an E-2 investor visa you can invest in:
E-2 Investor Visa Requirements
To summarize, the E-2 investor visa requirements are:
- The investor is a citizen of one of the E2 Treaty Countries
- The investor has invested or is in the process of investing in a US business
- The business is real and operating
- The investment is substantial
- The business is not marginal
- The applicant is in a position to develop and direct the business
- The applicant intends to depart the United States when the E2 status ends
The validity of the E-2 investor visa depends on the investor’s country of citizenship. The E-2 investor visa can be issued for maximum 5 years. At expiration, the investor can apply for a renewal of E-2 visa if the business continues to meet all legal requirements.
The E-2 visa holders can also bring their spouse and children (unmarried and under 21) to the United States on an E-2 visa. The spouse is employment authorized incident to status and his or her right to work in the United States is unrestricted. Children are not permitted to work in the U.S.
E-2 Investor Visa Process
Investors can apply for the E-2 investor visa in two ways:
- File E-2 Investor Visa Petition with U.S. Consulate, if investor is outside the United States
- File for change of status with USCIS, if investor is in the United States
Building an E-2 investor visa case requires local knowledge, investment planning, business and transactions structuring as well as regulatory compliance and our investor visa lawyers USA use extensive business and corporate knowledge and investor immigration experience to advise you throughout the entire E-2 investor visa process.
Why choose the E-2 Investor Visa?
With an E-2 investor visa you enjoy many benefits including:
- No minimum investment required
- Lower investment of no less than $50,000
- Work for your own US business
- Bring your spouse and children to the US
- Travel internationally
- Obtain SSN
- Renew your E-2 investor visa indefinitely
- Apply for green card
- Relocate your employees to the US business.
2. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Green Card Program: Regional Center vs. Direct Investment
The EB-5 Investor Program, is a US visa that allows a foreign investor or entrepreneur together with their spouses and children to permanently live and work in the United States and apply for permanent residence, commonly known as Green Card, if they invest the required amount of capital in a U.S. company and create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.
The required amount of investment necessary to qualify for an Investment Green Card is $1,050,000 for projects situated in an urban area, and $800,000 for projects in targeted employment areas (TEA).
Types of Qualifying EB-5 Investments
The required investment for the EB-5 Investor USA Program can be through two types of qualifying investments:
- EB-5 Regional Center Investment
- Direct EB-5 Investment
EB-5 Regional Center Investment
The EB-5 investor green card can also be made through the Regional Center Program, where a foreign investor or entrepreneur invests in a U.S. commercial enterprise associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth.
The EB-5 Regional Center Projects rely on financing, investment and development with capital from foreign Investors and entrepreneurs seeking a permanent residence in the United States.
As a result, EB-5 Regional Center investment offerings made to foreign investors and entrepreneurs are subject to United States securities laws even if the investment opportunities are offered primarily outside of the United States to investors and entrepreneurs that are not currently U.S. residents.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has brought several legal actions against EB-5 regional center operators in cases of investor fraud. If you are a foreign investor or entrepreneur considering becoming a U.S. resident through investing in an EB-5 Regional Center, please be aware of investment scams and contact us to assist you with your investment.
To learn more, visit Is EB5 visa risky?.
Direct EB-5 Investment
The EB-5 investor green card can also be made through investment of the minimum capital required in a US commercial enterprise owned by the investor. In other words, investors can invest the required amount of capital in their own business in the U.S. and create the required 10 full-time jobs.
It is also possible for the investor to start with an E-2 investor visa and make the required EB-5 capital investment in the E-2 business over time and apply for EB-5 investor green card.
EB-5 Investor Green Card Process
The EB-5 Investor Green Card process includes the following steps:
- Consult an Immigration Lawyer for EB-5 Investor Green Card
- Select a Suitable EB-5 Project or Business to Invest
- Invest the Required Capital
- Compile Documents for EB-5 Investor Green Card
- File I-526 Petition for Standalone Investor
- File I-526E Petition for Regional Center Investor, if applicable
- Obtain Conditional Green Card via Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
- File I-829 Petition to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status
Why Choose the EB-5 Investor Green Card?
The EB-5 Investor Green Card is one of the most popular investor visa option for foreign investors.
The EB-5 Investor Green Card may be an attractive option for successful investors or entrepreneurs who want to continue developing their own business in the United States.
It can also be a great option for those investors or entrepreneurs who are approaching retirement or do not want to be actively involved in business anymore. Our investor visa lawyer explains that for these investors, EB5 green card through Regional Center is ideal to secure a future in the United States for their young children.
The benefits of choosing EB-5 Investor Green Card are:
- You can live and work in the United States
- You can apply for permanent residency (Green Card)
- You can simultaneously apply for adjustment of status, work permit and travel document, if you are in the United States
- You can bring your spouse and children
- Spouse can and children can work in the U.S. or attend public or private schools, universities or colleges in the United States
- Travel outside the United States and re-enter
- Path to US citizenship
3. L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa as an Investment Option
The L-1 Visa was initially intended and designed for large corporations to help facilitate easy transfer of employees from abroad to the United States. However, the L-1 Investment Visa also provides small and medium-sized companies with an opportunity to expand their business and service to the United States.
Although the L-1 visa is frequently used to transfer foreign employees to a company’s US office, the L-1 visa can also be an attractive investment visa option. According to our investor visa lawyer, the L1 visa is ideal for investors who are not citizens of E-2 treaty countries and therefore cannot qualify for E-2 investor visa.
The L-1 Investment Visa can also be a great solution for investors whose investment in a US business is less than the required minimum investment amount for EB-5 Investor Green Card ($800,000 for projects located in targeted employment areas (TEA) or $1,050,000 for projects in non-TEA).
To summarize, the L-1 investment visa for executives or managers can be an attractive proposition for investors who cannot qualify for E-2 investor visa and want to invest lower than the EB-5 Investor Green Card threshold amount.
Foreign investors who own a business in another country and are interested in expanding their operations to the United States or otherwise start a new line of business in the US for their group can use the L-1 investment visa option to transfer the executive or manager of the foreign company to the US, including themselves.
Employees coming to the United States to establish a new office can be approved a maximum initial stay of 1 year on an L-1 Visa. All other employees who are coming to the US to join an existing office will be granted an initial L-1 Visa for 3 years. The maximum duration of stay on L-1 investment visa for a Manager or Executive is 7 years.
Spouses and children under the age of 21 and unmarried can accompany an L-1 visa holder by using the L-2 visa. The period of stay for the L-2 visa corresponds to that of the L-1 visa. Spouse of an L-1 visa holder is employment authorized incident to status and can work for any company in the United States.
L-1 Investment Visa Requirements
The L-1 Investment Visa Requirements are:
- US company is a subsidiary, branch, or other affiliate of your foreign company
- You worked continuously outside of the United States in an executive or manager capacity for the company for at least 1 year in the prior 3 years.
- You are coming to the United States to establish a new office or join a pre-existing US office.
- You are working as an executive or manager in the United States.
- Your company must be doing business in the US and at least one other country for your stay in L-1 status.
- You have secured sufficient physical premises for your new office in the United States.
- Your US company is able to support an executive or managerial position within a specified period.
L-1 Investment Visa Process
The L-1 Investment Visa Process includes the following steps:
- The L-1 visa requires initial approval of an I-129 petition with USCIS.
- After USCIS approves the L-1 petition, you can apply for L-1 investment visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad
- If you are in the United States, you can request a change of status directly on the L-1 petition filed with USCIS
Why Choose the L-1 Investment Visa?
The L-1 Investment visa for Executives or Managers may be an option for an investor or entrepreneur who has initially started a business outside of the United States that will continue operations or if the entrepreneur combines operations with a company abroad at which they have previously worked.
The L-1 Investment Visa has numerous advantages and benefits including:
- Lower investment amount
- No citizenship requirement
- Dual intent – more flexibility when applying for green card
- Transfer employees from foreign company
- Work for your own business
- Travel internationally
- Bring spouse and children to the US
4. E-1 Treaty Trader Visa: A Business Expansion Alternative
Investors who wish to go to the United States to carry on substantial trade, principally between the United States and their own country, may apply for an E-1 trade investor visa.
While the E-1 visa is not an investor visa in the real sense, in practice it can be a great alternative to the traditional investor visas for USA, if your foreign business engages in substantial trade with the United States.
Our investor visa lawyer explains that the E-1 treaty trader visa is popular because unlike the L-1 visa category, you do not need to maintain a business outside the United States, and it can be renewed indefinitely.
Since the E-1 trade investor visa requires proof of existing substantial trade, it can be hard for startups in early stages to qualify. E-1 trader visas are more commonly used by investors or entrepreneurs that have an established company abroad and want to continue the ongoing business or services with U.S. customers or to enter the U.S. market and establish a new company in the US.
Investors on E-1 trader visa can bring their foreign employees to work in the United States on an E-1 visa as well as their spouse and children unmarried and under 21. E-1 visa spouses are employment authorized incident to status and can work for any employer.
The validity of the E-1 trader visa depends on the country of citizenship of the investor. The E-1 visa is issued for a maximum of 5 years. At expiration, the investor can apply for renewal.
E-1 Trader Visa Requirements
To qualify for E-1 trade investor visa, you must meet the E-1 trader visa requirements below:
- You possess the nationality of an E-1 treaty country.
- Activities constitute trade. To constitute trade, there should be an exchange involving goods, moneys, or services.
- Trade is substantial. Whether trade is substantial is determined based on the volume and value of the transactions.
- Trade is principally between the United States and your E-1 treaty country. To determine if trade is principally between the United States and your E-1 treaty country, at least 50% of the international trade must be between the United States and your treaty country.
- If applicant is an employee then he or she must be working in an executive/supervisory position or possesses skills essential to the firm’s operations in the United States.
E-1 Trade Investor Visa Process
Just like with the E-2 visa, the process to apply for E-1 trade investor visa has many variables. An investor or an employee can apply for an E-1 trader visa as follows:
- Apply for E-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad, or,
- Apply for a change of status to E-1 on form I-129 with USCIS, if they are in the United States in another lawful status.
The process of applying for an E-1 trade investor visa with the US Consulate or Embassy varies by consulate. Some consulates have formal procedures in place for company registration and in other cases there are separate processes in place for initial company registrations and subsequent applications for employees, and family members.
Why Choose E-1 Trade Investor Visa
The E-1 trade investor visa can be a great option for investors who already engage in substantial trade with the United States and want to expand their business in the United States fast or their capital is tied up.
The E-1 Trade Investor Visa has numerous benefits including:
- No minimum investment required
- Work for your own US company
- Travel internationally
- Bring spouse and children under 21 to the US
- Bring employees from abroad
- Unlimited E-1 visa renewals
- Obtain SSN
- Ability to apply for green card
Our investor visa lawyer can assist
For those looking to invest in the United States, selecting the right investor visa is essential to your success. We can provide you with the necessary information to choose the best investor visa for your circumstances and assist you with the rigorous application process.
Our investor visa lawyer specialize in assisting foreign investors and entrepreneurs do business in the United States and navigate the business immigration system and investor visas for themselves and their families and employees.
If you are a foreign investor or entrepreneur, contact our investor visa lawyer or schedule a consultation.
From our offices in Miami, Florida USA, we serve companies and investors across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Malescu Law P.A. – Investor Visa Lawyer
Areas of Practice
- Corporate Law
- Employment Visas
- Family Visas
- International Business Transactions
- Investor Visa Lawyer
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Outside General Counsel
- Trump Gold Card Visa: Requirements, Application and Benefits
- US Visa for Australian citizens
- US Visa for Canadian citizens
- US Visa for German citizens
- US Visa for Mexican citizens
- US Visa for Portuguese citizens
- US Visa for UK citizens
- Videos