US Business Visas — E-2, O-1, EB-1C, L-1 & National Interest Waiver
The visa matched to your situation: E-2 investor treaty visa, O-1 extraordinary ability, EB-1C multinational manager, L-1 intra-company transfer or EB-2 National Interest Waiver. We build and run the petition.
What Immigration & Relocation includes in the US
What you receive
How it works
Helpful resources
Where to register and how we differ
Immigration & Relocation in the US — frequently asked questions
The E-2 treaty investor visa lets nationals of treaty countries live and work in the US by investing a 'substantial' amount in a US business. There is no fixed minimum, but USCIS usually expects $100,000–$150,000+ for a new business — the general rule is at least 50% of the startup cost. The investment must be at risk and not marginal. E-2 visas are issued for 2–5 years depending on the treaty country, renewable indefinitely.
The E-2 is open only to nationals of countries with a bilateral investment treaty with the United States. On the list: the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Israel, Turkey — and roughly 80 others. Notably off it: mainland China, India, Brazil, Russia, and most of Southeast Asia. For nationals without E-2 eligibility, INNOVA CG maps out L-1 or EB-5 routes.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program gives a green card (permanent residency) to an investor who puts $1,050,000 into a new commercial enterprise — or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (rural or high-unemployment zone) — that creates at least 10 full-time US jobs. Through USCIS-designated Regional Centers, indirect job creation counts. Processing runs 4–7 years; the reserved visa category under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 can shorten it for some nationalities.
The L-1 visa transfers an executive, manager, or specialized-knowledge employee from a foreign company to its US affiliate, subsidiary, or parent. L-1A (managers/executives) grants 3 years upfront, up to 7 years total; L-1B (specialized knowledge) grants 3 years, up to 5. The condition is a qualifying relationship between the foreign and US entities. That relationship is what we build at the corporate-structure level.
Yes — a non-US founder qualifies on merit, with no ready-made US company required. The O-1A visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics — backed by sustained national or international acclaim. For tech founders that means awards, published articles, high compensation, board memberships, leading roles in distinguished organizations, and media coverage. No ready-made US entity is needed — a US agent or employer sponsors it. Duration is 3 years, renewable a year at a time.