Tristanmac72

Hi all,

amazing forum and quality threads, so I thought it a great place to ask a few basics...

I have been owner/director of a small but successful event management company here in the UK for over 5 years.
Many of our clients are now in the US, and 90% more potential business is there, in 2020 we helped several clients out in the US with event services until Covid hit.
The potential is there, I just need to be there myself and build the business up with a proven business plan strategy.

L1 Visa....
- Am I as the owner of the business allowed to apply for this?
- My father will take over as UK director, when I move to the US, and maintain the UK/EU end.
- What do I need to know / what am I missing ?
- I have a wife and 9 year old I wish to bring with me.

I looked at the E2 also, but that seems like a harder visa to get, with 100k min to invest.

Note: Ive already invested 20k in equipment in the US sitting in a warehouse ready to use for the next event.
We use local US residents and technicians when we do events, but up to now I haven't been able to get involved due to not having a visa or being able to move there...

Also trying to find immigration service that can give some 'free' initial info is hard! I just need to find out enough to press the button, then I don't mind paying for services IF I can't do it myself..

Any help is much appreciated.

Noorah101

If you're going to get a professional involved, make sure it's a reputable immigration attorney. Don't use a "visa service" company. Some attorneys will do a free or low-cost consultation.

Since you've been doing these events remotely for a while, what is the need to physically live in the USA? You might be able to just use the VWP for some business meetings.

Sorry I don't have specific info on the L or E visa routes.

Rene

SanDiegogirl

As I understand it one would need a 'bricks and mortar' office in the US in order to do an intercompany transfer?

scrubbedexpat099

I am by no means clear if it could be done for such a small operation, certainly you need competent legal guidance, there are certainly good US Immigration Lawyers in the UK.

Noorah101

OP, would you be looking to hire on employees in the USA? I don't think the L visa supports a 1-man operation.

Rene

civilservant

Seems that you have a couple of barriers here - why move to the US when you've done business here already and haven't lived here? Is this anything other than a subsistence business? Will you be hiring staff? Will you need physical office space?

And the obvious one - why did you invest $20k in equipment before you knew that you would be able to get a visa?