How Can Entrepreneurs Obtain a Startup Visa?

A startup visa is a legal pathway that allows entrepreneurs to live and work in a new country while building their business. You can apply through dedicated visa programs designed for founders, innovators, and investors. The process involves meeting specific startup visa requirements, submitting the right documents, and working with a trusted petitioner.

According to the ITServe Alliance, immigrants founded nearly half of Fortune 500 companies in 2025. These companies are helping generate millions of jobs and trillions in revenue for the United States. However, most entrepreneurs don't know how to turn their big idea into a legal, approved business in America.

The visa application process can feel like a maze. Luckily, O1 Experts exists to help entrepreneurs like you navigate the application from start to finish. With our expert guidance, you can expect a high approval rate.

Can I Move to the USA as an Entrepreneur?

Yes, you can. Many entrepreneurs do it every year, as the US remains one of the top destinations for global founders. Moving gives you access to:

• High quality of life
• Large consumer market
• Active funding scene
• World-renowned tech ecosystems

If you're an entrepreneur, the USA offers you unparalleled opportunities to scale your ventures. With its strong economy and supportive infrastructure, it's a land where you can grow your entrepreneurial dreams.

What Is the Best Visa for Entrepreneurs?

There is no single best startup visa. The right choice depends on your:

• Background
• Funding
• Nationality
• Goals

Here are some options you may have as an entrepreneur:

O-1A Visa

The O-1A visa is designed for entrepreneurs who have risen to the top of their field. It covers business, science, technology, and education. This visa features:

• No annual cap or lottery
• Premium processing available
• Renewable with no hard cap
• Path to permanent residency
• Press article support

The O-1A is the most popular startup visa for high-achieving entrepreneurs because it combines flexibility, speed, and a clear path to long-term US residency. Ensure you work with reputable O-1 visa agents for transparent pricing.

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

The E-2 visa is built for entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business in the United States. You must be a national of a country that holds a qualifying treaty with the US. Additionally, you must invest a substantial amount of your own capital into a real, active business.

L-1A Visa

The L-1A visa is for entrepreneurs who already run a company abroad and want to open or expand a US office. You must have worked for the foreign company in an executive or managerial role for at least one continuous year within the past three years. Here is what it offers:

• No investment minimum required
• Supports new US office openings
• Dual intent allowed
• Direct path to EB-1C green card
• Up to 7 years total

If your entrepreneurial ventures abroad are thriving and you're ready to enter the US market, an L-1A visa can turn your existing success into an immigration advantage. This visa rewards entrepreneurs who have already built something internationally.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa

The EB-5 is a direct path to a U.S. Green Card. To qualify, you must invest $1.05 million in a standard area or $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). Your investment must create a minimum of 10 full-time jobs for qualifying US workers.

You can invest directly in your own business. If you prefer a more passive investment structure, you can do it through a USCIS-designated Regional Center.

The EB-5 needs a lot of capital and patience. However, if you're serious about permanent US residency, it's one of the most reliable options within business immigration guidelines.

International Entrepreneur Rule (IER)

The International Entrepreneur Rule was created specifically for early-stage startup founders. It's administered by USCIS.

The IER allows entrepreneurs to temporarily live and work in the US if their startup shows growth potential. To qualify, you must:

• Hold at least a 10% ownership stake in the company
• Meet at least $264,147 in funding from qualified US investors
• Meet at least $105,659 in government grants or awards

The IER is one of the most entrepreneur-specific pathways in the US visa application process. You're a good fit for this visa if you've already secured US investor backing.

EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)

The EB-2 NIW is a green card pathway that allows entrepreneurs to self-petition. To be eligible, your proposed endeavor must demonstrate significant merit and national relevance. Additionally, you must be well-equipped with the expertise to advance that work.

EB-1A Green Card

The EB-1A green card is the equivalent of the O-1A visa. It's ideal for high-achieving entrepreneurs who want permanent US residency without being tied to a single employer.

Once you get the O-1A, getting the EB-1A should be a natural next step. Many entrepreneurs use the O-1A as a temporary visa while building their EB-1A case simultaneously.

How to Get an Entrepreneur Visa in the USA?

Getting a startup visa is a step-by-step process. It requires careful preparation and adherence to business immigration guidelines. Here is how to approach it:

Step 1: Choose the Right Visa Category

Start by evaluating your profile. Ask yourself:

• Do you have extraordinary achievements?
• Do you have venture funding?
• Are you a treaty country national?

These questions will guide you on which startup visas to consider. Your answers will help you choose the right visa type.

Step 2: Gather Your Evidence

Every strong entrepreneur visa application is built on evidence. For an O-1A visa, for example, you will need to show:

• Articles in major media outlets that feature your work or company
• Industry awards, fellowships, or grants that prove your standing in the field
• Evidence that peers in your industry respect your expertise

The stronger your evidence package, the better your chances. Working with experienced petitioners, like O-1 experts, matters.

Step 3: File With a US Petitioner

Unlike many visa types, the O-1 visa requires a US employer or agent to file the petition on your behalf. O1 Experts act as your official US sponsor, giving you an open freelance management agreement.

Step 4: Prepare for Requests for Evidence (RFEs)

USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) if it needs more information. Your petitioner should help you draft a clear, well-documented response. Having experienced legal support on your side means fewer surprises during the visa application process.

Step 5: Plan Your Entry

Once approved, plan your entry into the US carefully. Make sure your documents are in order, and your business plan is solid.

Who Has to Pay $100,000 for an H-1B Visa?

This is a newer fee that many employers do not yet know about. Employers intending to hire an H-1B worker living abroad using an H-1B petition filed after September 21, 2025, ought to pay an extra $100,000 fee via the US Treasury's website.

If you're an employer sponsoring a foreign worker for an H-1B visa from abroad, this new fee applies directly to you. You also have to take care of standard filing fees and legal costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can You Stay in the US on an H-1B?

The H-1B visa is granted for three years. This duration may be extended for another three years, bringing the total to six years. It's a general rule set by the USCIS.

However, there are important exceptions. If you have an approved I-140 immigrant petition, you may be eligible for H-1B extensions beyond the six-year cap in one-year or three-year increments. Many skilled workers use this pathway to stay in the US.

If you're approaching the end of your six-year H-1B period, work with an immigration expert immediately. Options exist, but your timing matters.

What Is a U.S. Golden Visa?

The US golden visa refers to the Trump Gold Card. This visa is based on an individual's ability to provide a substantial benefit to the United States. To apply, an applicant must pay a nonrefundable $15,000 DHS processing fee.

The Gold Card is a premium immigration pathway for high-net-worth individuals. It's ideal for attracting global capital and talent to the United States.

Can I Get a US Visa If I Buy a Property?

Buying property alone doesn't grant you a US visa. Many people assume that real estate investment automatically opens an immigration pathway. However, it doesn't.

Can My Family Get Green Cards With EB-5?

Yes, your family can benefit from your EB-5 application. If you're the principal applicant in an EB-5 petition, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may apply for a Green Card as derivative applicants. They don't need to make a separate investment.

The derivative applicants must meet standard admissibility requirements. However, the investment and job creation burden rests solely on the principal applicant.

Secure Your Startup Visa With O1 Experts

As an entrepreneur, you can scale your operations to the US with a startup visa. To make the process seamless, you need a partner you can trust.

With over 1,000 approved O-1 visas and a track record built on results, O1 Experts is the petitioner that serious founders trust. We have spent years refining every detail of the entrepreneur visa application process. Our team charges one upfront fee that puts you and your business first.

Contact us today and take the first real step toward your US startup visa.