judemonkey

Hello there

Would it be possible to set up a new company in the USA, and for a company owner to move there and work for this new company. The original company is in the UK, and there is only a single director/worker.

Thanks.

ian-mstm

Is it possible? Yes! Is it practical? Hard to say!


For an L-1 visa to be feasible, the UK business must continue to operate and be a viable concern.

Ian

Noorah101

Would the "new company" be a US branch of the existing UK company? Would the UK branch still be operational, with someone there to manage it (not you)? How many employees will you be hiring at the US branch?

Rene

judemonkey

Yes, a US branch. No, there would not be someone to manage it in the UK. I would not be expecting to hire anyone in the USA, at least not at first.

ian-mstm

End of the road then!

Ian

judemonkey

I could put my mother on the payroll perhaps so she can manage the incoming mail.

Noorah101

In that case, I don't believe an L "intercompany transfer" visa would work for you.

Rene

Noorah101

Is that all the UK side of the business will be doing? Receiving mail? In order to get an L visa, you will need to keep both branches of the company up and running...the UK side and the US side. If the only thing the UK branch is doing is receiving mail (the kind of mail anyone's mom can open), then it doesn't sound like it's a very viable, thriving, UK business.

Rene

ian-mstm

Who would actually run the business? From what you've written, no one! End of the road.

Ian

judemonkey

Thank you for your advice.

scrubbedexpat099

The first place to start would be with your legal and financial teams, we know nothing about your business etc, well very little.

411

Im in a similar position however legal, financial are all independent contractors. I would love to put my father on the payroll but he must learn the job not just be paid for doing nothing.

My Ltd Company is property management. He needs to scan any letters that come through and upload on the software. I am hoping he can also action them but I doubt it. So my hope is remote access to the application for any staff I hire for the L1 to complete actioning.

Most of correspondence is already done by email so I think this would work. My Uk business will not be able to close down as it manages a portfolio of properties belonging to me.

Judemonkey why not give a bit more detail of your company so you can get better feedback.

christmasoompa

Have you already got your L1 then? I'm intrigued, as I thought the L1 only applied to bona fide companies with staff, not just properties managed by one person? How big is the company out of interest?

411

No application has not yet been submitted. I need to reduce alot of 245 page application as it was to be submitted as an EB5 but it has been suggested that L1 is the better path to choose. What do you mean by how big?

Noorah101

How many people does it employ?

Rene