What You Need to Know About Relocating YourSmall Businessto the US.
Starting any business is exciting, but can be especially challenging if it is coupled with immigrating to the US. In addition to all of the normal considerations anentrepreneurwould contemplate, including whether the business will be financially viable and any regulatory barriers, anybusiness ownerhoping to bring their business to the US faces multiple choices and obstacles.
If you have decided that there is a business opportunity in the US that you want to set up, you have a few options. If you wish to relocate yoursmall businessto the US, you will need to determine your path to gaining a work visa and permission to reside in the US.
You have several options for moving your business to the US including but not limited to the L-1A visa, the E-2 visa, and the E-B5 visa.
The L-1A Visa is appropriate if you have an establishedbusiness entity.
TheL-1A visaallows inter-company transfers so that individuals can come and work in the United States. Businesses often use it to establish a new office or branch in the United States.
The L-1A may be a good fit if:
- Your business is established outside the US and is over 12 months old and employs greater than four people
- You are looking for a possible path to a Green Card and citizenship
- The business is going to continue operating outside the US
- You and all of the employees that you are looking to move over are executives or managers (L-1A) or have specialized knowledge (L-1B)
- You are ok with the term limits: L-1A visa is a maximum of 5 years; L-1B visa is a maximum of 7 years
The E-2 visa may be appropriate for younger businesses.
With anE-2 visa, you can start a new company in the United States and gain permission to live in the United States along with your spouse and dependents. Generally, the state department requires at least a $150,000 personal investment. One downside, however, is that this visa does not lead to permanent residency or citizenship.
The E-2 may be a good fit if:
- Your business is less than 12 months old and fewer than 4 employees
- You are not looking for a path to permanent residency or citizenship
- You are going to direct and develop your business
- The business is (or is not) going to keep operating outside the US
- You need or want a quicker processing time
- You have approximately $150,000-$200,000 of personal funds to invest depending on the industry
- You are starting an active (non-passive, non-real estate) business
The E-2 visa allows an investor and their employees and families to live and receive work permits in the United States. E-2 visas do not have a quota. The investment required varies. Note that Indian and Chinese nationals can not apply for E-2 visas unless they are the spouse of an E-2 visa holder.
A very important note about the E-2 visa is that your funds must be “at-risk.” What this means is that the funds have been committed irrevocably – making it very hard for you to pull out. If you are looking to use a loan as part of your E-2, it’s important to know that the loans can’t be secured by theassetsof the business – they must be secured by your personal assets. In addition, it may be hard to use a loan for the up-front costs of an E-2 visa because the source of the funds will be subject to significant scrutiny. An E-2 is usually a better option if you have personal liquid funds to commit.
The EB-5 Visa may be a good fit for investors looking to start a new U.S. business.
TheEB-5 Visais a type of investor visa that can lead to permanent residency and citizenship. It is costlier than the E-2, requiring a larger up-front investment, and a guarantee that it will create at least 10 jobs.
The EB-5 may be a good fit if:
- You have over $500,000 to invest in a new venture; $1,000,000 required in select areas
- Your new venture will create over 10 American jobs
- You are looking for a path to permanent residency or to becoming a US citizen for yourself and your spouse and children
- You are ok with a slower processing time
- You are ok with onerous rules and requirements
Similar to the E-2, if you get a loan for an EB-5, your personal assets must be at risk. The collateral for the loan can’t be the assets of the business.
A very important consideration is that once you get a Green Card (permanent residency), you will be subject to USincome taxon your worldwide income. For those with large sources of income outside the United States, this could be a strong deterrent against pursuing a permanent residency in the US.
If you don’t want to move to the US but you still want to Consider Relocating YourSmall Businessto the US, you can.
Anyone can incorporate most types of companies in the US. The US does not restrict who can own most types of US-based companies, so if you are a non-resident alien or a resident of a foreign country, you can own parts of or entire companies in the US. The US has two types of taxation for companies (pass through – as with alimited liability company(LLC) and double taxation – as with C Corporations), so it is important to consider the tax implications of the type of company you are forming in the US. An S-Corp is onetype of businessthat can cause issues for foreigners. Non-resident aliens can’t own S-Corporations.
A foreign company can also be the owner of a US company. It is relatively fast and easy to incorporate a company in the US and many services can help you prepare the legal documents – some can even do it in minutes. You may be required to appoint and pay for a “registered agent” to receive official government mail for your business. You’ll be able to open a business bank account which will make it easy to transact with customers. If you meet certain requirements, you may be able to open abusiness credit cardas well. Every state has different rules about companiesincorporatedand doing business in their states – be sure to follow these local laws and seek out the help of experts who can help you remain in compliance with regulatory andtax returnrequirements.
Pick the right location within the US for your business.
Different US states make it easier to start a business than others. Things you should consider includebusiness licensesandfranchise taxes. Some municipalities in the US try to make it very easy to start a business, offering tax benefits or additional grants and subsidies fornew businesses, particularly those that promise a certain number of jobs.
It’s also important to consider attributes of the area that arebusiness-friendly– are there sufficient customers? Is the city growing or shrinking? Does thisnew locationhave an adequate workforce with the talent that you need? How easy will it be to attract talent to relocate to work for your business? How is the city’s infrastructure – will you have the resources you need nearby? Is thecost of livingin thisnew locationsustainable for your family and your business? What is the overallquality oflifelike in this location?
Consider unforeseen obstacles that you may encounter when Relocating YourSmall Businessto the US.
It is also important to consider the fixed costs of the transition which may include things like moving your equipment and talent. You may encounter upfront regulations and costs in the US, including licensing and inspection requirements. You will also want to consider anytax obligationsyou may incur as a resident of two countries, or any exit taxes you will need to pay if you are leaving your home country behind. Plenty ofsmallbusinessownersdecide that the costs of bringing theirnew businessto the US are too onerous and opt instead to just sell over the border.
Interested in learning more about thesmall businessfinancing available to immigrants in the US? Check out thisguide tobusiness loansfor immigrants in the US.
Get Funding for your After Relocating YourSmall Businessto the US.
Whether you are thinking about bringing your business to the US or if you are already here and looking to expand, financing can help ensure the success of yourbusiness plan. Manytypes of loansare available to immigrants, whether non-resident aliens or aliens. Some loans may have requirements that the business is operational for 12+ months, that you have a strong credit history, or that you have assets to use as collateral. If you are a new immigrant or are looking to bring your business to the US, Biz2Credit may be able to help.
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This article is not immigration or legal advice. Seek the help of a qualified immigration attorney for all of your immigration planning needs.
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