Your US company and your US visa are separate things
Forming a US LLC or corporation does not give you the right to live or work in the US. Many founders only find this out after they have formed the company. The company can be owned and run from abroad for years, and for many businesses that is exactly the right setup.
If you do want to spend time in the US to grow the business, you need a visa that matches what you will actually do there. This consultation helps you understand the main options, what your company would need to look like to support them, and when to bring in an immigration attorney.
Who this is for
- Founders who own a US company and want to visit, relocate or hire staff to work in the US.
- Founders deciding between an LLC and a C-Corp who expect to need a visa later.
- Business owners abroad who want to open a US office for their existing company.
What we cover in the consultation
- What you can and cannot do in the US on a visitor visa.
- Which employment and investor visa categories may fit your profile, at a planning level.
- How company structure, ownership and funding affect those routes.
- What records to start keeping now so a later application is easier.
- A referral to a US immigration attorney for an assessment and the actual filing.
BookMyLLC is not a law firm and does not give immigration legal advice or prepare visa petitions. Only a US-licensed attorney or an accredited representative should advise on your specific case.
Common visa routes founders ask about
| Visa | What it is for | Key point for founders |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 business visitor | Meetings, negotiations, conferences, signing contracts | You may not do productive work or be paid from a US source |
| E-2 treaty investor | Running a US business you have invested substantially in | Only for citizens of treaty countries. India and Nigeria are not on the list |
| L-1 intracompany transferee | Transferring a manager or specialist from a related foreign company | Usually needs a year of employment with the foreign company in the last three years |
| O-1 extraordinary ability | People with sustained national or international acclaim in their field | Needs strong evidence such as awards, press or high pay |
| H-1B specialty occupation | Degree-level jobs with a US employer | Subject to an annual lottery and owner-employee questions |
How the consultation works
- Short intake. You tell us your nationality, your company, your role, your investment and your plans.
- Call. We walk through the routes that may be relevant and the ones that clearly are not.
- Company checklist. We note what your company may need, such as a C-Corp, real US operations, payroll or a related foreign parent.
- Referral. If a route looks realistic, we refer you to an immigration attorney with your notes so you do not start from zero.
What to prepare
- Your passport nationality, and any second nationality.
- Your US company documents, if you already have one.
- A rough figure for how much you have invested or plan to invest.
- Details of any company you own or work for outside the US.
- Your degree, work history and any awards or press, if relevant.
Timeline
The consultation itself is usually scheduled within a few working days. Visa timelines vary widely by category and by consulate, and are set by US government agencies, so we do not quote them as fixed. The State Department publishes current appointment wait times by consulate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Working in the US on a visitor visa. Doing hands-on work for your company on a B-1 or ESTA can lead to a refusal or a ban.
- Forming the wrong entity. Some routes are much easier with a C-Corp and real operations than with a one-person LLC.
- Assuming the E-2 is available. It depends entirely on your citizenship.
- Using a visa consultant who is not an attorney for filings. Check credentials before you pay anyone to file.
Questions to ask any visa adviser
Immigration is a field where bad advice is expensive and sometimes permanent. Whoever you work with, these questions help you judge whether they are qualified.
- Are you a licensed US attorney, and in which state? You can check an attorney's licence with that state's bar association.
- Who will prepare and sign the petition? It should be the attorney or an accredited representative, not an unlicensed consultant.
- What are the government fees, and what are your fees? A clear engagement letter separates them.
- What happens if the petition is refused? Understand whether a refiling or appeal is included.
The US government warns about immigration scams, including consultants who promise guaranteed visas or special access. No one can guarantee a visa outcome.
Related services
If a visa is part of your plan, the entity choice matters. Read about Delaware C-Corp formation and US LLC formation, see payroll setup if you will hire, or book a call. Fees are on the pricing page.
Visa consultation at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What it is | A discussion of US visa options linked to your business plan. |
| Is it legal advice? | No. We explain routes and refer you to immigration counsel for filings. |
| Does a US company give me a visa? | No. A company and a visa are separate; owning one does not grant status. |
| Who decides | The US government agencies, not us or your company. |
| What to bring | Your goals, timeline, education and work history. |
Routes people ask about
| Route | General idea |
|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 visitor | Short visits for business meetings or tourism; no employment |
| E-2 investor | For nationals of treaty countries investing in a US business |
| L-1 | For transfers within a company that has a foreign and a US office |
| O-1 | For people with extraordinary ability |
| H-1B | Employer-sponsored specialty occupations, subject to annual limits |
Eligibility depends on citizenship and facts we cannot judge in a short call. Use this table as a conversation starter, not a decision.
What a consultation cannot do
We are not an immigration law firm. We can explain how routes work in general terms and how they connect with your company, and we can prepare you for a conversation with an attorney. We do not file petitions, predict outcomes or promise approvals. Visa decisions rest with US government agencies and consulates, and individual facts matter a great deal.
If you reach the point of needing a filing, we can introduce you to a licensed immigration attorney. See business consultation if your question is about the company first.
Questions to ask any visa adviser
- Are you a licensed attorney, and will you file on my behalf?
- What is my realistic route, given my citizenship and background?
- What documents will the officer expect, and what could lead to refusal?
- What happens to my status if the company changes?
- What does the full process cost, including government fees?
A good adviser answers plainly and does not promise an approval.
How to prepare your documents
- A clear one-page summary of your business and role.
- Your passport, education and work history.
- Company documents: formation papers, EIN letter and bank statements.
- Your timeline and any past visa applications.
