Yes, foreign nationals can buy a business in the U.S. using either the EB-5 visa or the L-1 visa, depending on their background, investment capacity, and long-term immigration goals. Each visa has distinct requirements, and it’s important to understand which option best fits your situation.
Buying a Business with the EB-5 Visa
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program allows individuals to obtain a green card by investing in a U.S. business. To qualify:
- You must invest $800,000 or $1.05 million, depending on the location of the business.
- Your investment must create or preserve at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs.
- The business must be new or significantly restructured.
Purchasing an existing business may qualify if it leads to a substantial change in the business model or expansion that meets job creation criteria.
Buying a Business with the L-1 Visa
The L-1 visa is for intracompany transferees—owners, executives, or managers transferring from a foreign company to a U.S. affiliate, branch, or new office.
- You must have worked for the foreign business for at least 1 year in the last 3 years.
- You can acquire or establish a U.S. business as a branch of your foreign company.
- The U.S. business must support your executive or managerial role.
This visa is ideal for business expansion, not just investment.
Choosing the Right Visa
- Choose EB-5 if your goal is permanent residency through investment and job creation.
- Choose L-1 if you’re expanding your existing business into the U.S. and may later apply for a green card.
Work with Immigration Experts
At Global Immigration Partners, we help investors and entrepreneurs navigate complex visa requirements, identify qualifying businesses, and structure compliant applications.
Contact Global Immigration Partners today to explore your U.S. business visa options.
