Entrepreneur Visa USA

If you're a foreign entrepreneur looking to launch or grow a business in America, you've likely searched for an "entrepreneur visa." The reality is more complex: the United States offers multiple immigration pathways for business founders, each with different requirements, costs, and long-term implications.

The sections below cover temporary visa options available to entrepreneurs, permanent immigration pathways for business founders, specific costs and investment requirements for each pathway, and how to choose the right option based on your situation.

Recent policy and fee changes (last verified September 2026)

Entrepreneur immigration options move fast, and several government fees and programs referenced elsewhere on this page have changed recently:

• The Form I-129 base filing fee (used by E-2, O-1A, and L-1A petitions) is now $1,055 for standard employers, or $530 for small employers (25 or fewer employees) or nonprofits, up from the previous flat $460. A separate Asylum Program Fee of $600 ($300 for small employers, $0 for nonprofits) also applies to every Form I-129 filing. See the USCIS G-1055 Fee Schedule.
• President Trump signed an Executive Order on September 19, 2025 actually launching the Gold Card program: expedited immigrant-visa processing for a $1 million individual donation (or $2 million if made by a corporation on an individual's behalf). It is a discretionary donation-based pathway that operates alongside EB-5, which continues to run under its own investment thresholds. See the White House fact sheet.
• EB-5's regional center program remains authorized through September 2027 under current statute; immigration counsel are flagging September 30, 2026 as a practical deadline for certain existing grandfathering protections on pending investment structures. Confirm current filing-window guidance with an immigration attorney before year-end.
• A separate Public Law 114-113 fee ($4,000 for H-1B, $4,500 for L-1) that already applied to initial petitions from covered employers (50+ U.S. employees, more than half in H-1B/L-1 status) now also applies to those employers' extension petitions, effective September 9, 2026.

Because these figures change, verify current amounts at uscis.gov/g-1055 before filing.

What is an entrepreneur visa?

Knowing your options is the first step toward choosing the right path. The United States does not have a single visa category called an "entrepreneur visa," and searches for a "startup visa USA" pathway lead to the same answer. Instead, both terms refer to a collection of visa pathways that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides for foreign nationals who want to start, invest in, or manage businesses in America.

These pathways divide into two broad categories:

1. Temporary options (nonimmigrant visas and parole) allow you to live and work in the US while building your business, with the understanding that you may eventually return to your home country.
2. Permanent options (immigrant visas) lead directly to a green card and lawful permanent resident status, with no requirement to leave.

The right pathway depends on several factors: your nationality (some visas are limited to citizens of treaty countries), the investment amount you have available, whether you already operate a foreign business, your professional achievements and track records, and your long-term goals in the USA.

Temporary entrepreneur visa options

Several temporary visa options allow entrepreneurs to operate in the US while building their business. Each pathway has distinct eligibility requirements, investment thresholds, and validity periods. The comparison table below summarizes the key differences.

E-2 Treaty Investor

The E-2 visa allows nationals of treaty countries to invest in and manage a US business. You must invest a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide enterprise, with at least 50% ownership or operational control of the company. The investment must be sufficient to ensure successful business operations, which typically means $50,000 or more depending on the industry.

There is no annual cap or lottery for the E-2, and you can renew status indefinitely in two-year increments as long as your business remains active. Your spouse receives employment authorization incident to status and can work for any US employer. The E-2 does not provide a direct path to a green card, but many entrepreneurs use it while pursuing permanent residence through other visa categories.

O-1A Extraordinary Ability

The O-1A visa serves entrepreneurs who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in business, science, or technology. Unlike investment-based visas, the O-1 has no minimum investment requirement and no nationality restrictions. You must show sustained national or international acclaim through evidence such as awards, published material, original contributions, high salary, or judging the work of others.

This pathway is popular among tech founders, researchers, and executives with documented track records of exceptional achievement. The initial validity period is three years, with extensions available in one-year increments for as long as you continue work in your area of extraordinary ability. Spouses and children accompany you on O-3 visas but cannot obtain work authorization, which is a notable disadvantage compared to E-2 and L-1A pathways. O-1A holders have a clear path to permanent residence through the EB-1A green card category, which uses similar evidence criteria.

L-1A Intracompany Transferee

The L-1 visa allows entrepreneurs who already operate a foreign business to expand to the United States by transferring to a US entity. You must have worked for the foreign company for at least one continuous year within the past three years in an executive or managerial capacity.

For entrepreneurs establishing a new office, the initial approval is one year. Once the US company is established, you can extend up to seven years total. The L-1A leads directly to the EB-1C multinational manager green card category, making it an attractive option for founders with existing international business operations. Your spouse receives employment authorization and can work for any US employer without restrictions.

International Entrepreneur Rule

The International Entrepreneur Rule provides parole (not a visa) to startup founders whose companies have received substantial investment or government grants. Your startup must have been formed within the past five years, and you must own at least 10% of the US entity while playing an active role in its operations.

To qualify, your company must have received at least $311,071 in qualified investment from US investors with established track records, or at least $124,429 in government grants from federal, state, or local agencies. Up to three entrepreneurs per startup may receive parole under this program. Applications are filed using Form I-941 with USCIS. While this pathway does not lead directly to permanent residence, it provides up to five years (30 months initial plus one 30-month extension) to build your business. Note that entrepreneurs and their dependents must each pay a $1,000 immigration parole fee upon entry to the United States.

However, if your goal is permanent residence rather than temporary authorization, there are several immigrant pathways that exist for entrepreneurs.

Permanent entrepreneur visa options

For entrepreneurs seeking lawful permanent resident status, several employment-based green card categories offer direct pathways without requiring a traditional employer sponsor. These immigrant visa options lead to a green card for you and your family members, with full rights to live and work in the United States indefinitely.

Visa backlog notice: Applicants born in India or China may face significantly longer wait times due to per-country annual caps on employment-based green cards. Even after an I-140 petition is approved, the wait for an available visa number can extend to several years for these nationalities. Check the most recent USCIS Visa Bulletin for current priority dates before selecting a pathway.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor

The EB-5 visa provides a direct path to a green card through capital investment in a new commercial enterprise. The standard minimum investment is $1,050,000, reduced to $800,000 for investments in a targeted employment area (TEA), which includes rural areas or regions with high unemployment.

You must create at least 10 full-time jobs for US citizens or permanent residents. Investments through a USCIS-designated regional center can count indirect job creation toward this requirement. After approval, you receive a conditional green card valid for two years. You must file Form I-829 to remove conditions and demonstrate your investment funds remained at risk and the job creation requirement was met.

The EB-5 is the most direct investor visa path to permanent residence, with no requirement for employer sponsorship or labor certification. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 also receive green cards as dependents.

Important update: The Gold Card program is no longer a proposal. President Trump signed an Executive Order on September 19, 2025 establishing a discretionary pathway to expedited immigrant-visa processing for a $1 million individual donation, or $2 million if made by a corporation on an individual's behalf, deposited with the U.S. Treasury. It runs through existing immigrant visa categories, and both programs currently operate side by side. You may see the shorthand "EB-5 Gold Card" in coverage, but the two are distinct: EB-5 is an at-risk investment in a job-creating business, while the Gold Card is a donation-based pathway. See the White House fact sheet. EB-5's regional center program remains authorized through September 2027 by statute, though immigration counsel are flagging September 30, 2026 as a practical deadline for certain existing grandfathering protections on pending investment structures. If you're weighing an $800,000–$1,050,000 EB-5 investment on a multi-year timeline, confirm the current filing window with an immigration attorney before committing.

EB-1A Extraordinary Ability

The EB-1A visa allows entrepreneurs with extraordinary ability in business, science, or technology to self-petition for a green card without an employer sponsor. You must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim through evidence criteria similar to the O-1A visa application process.

No labor certification is required, which reduces considerably processing times compared to other employment-based categories. Founders who first obtained O-1 status often transition to EB-1A using the same evidence of exceptional ability. This pathway works well for entrepreneurs with documented achievements, awards, high compensation, or substantial media coverage of their work.

EB-2 NIW National Interest Waiver

The EB-2 NIW allows entrepreneurs to self-petition for a green card by demonstrating their work has substantial merit and national importance. You must have an advanced degree (master's or higher) or demonstrate exceptional ability in your field through education, experience, or achievements.

The NIW waives the normal labor certification requirement for EB-2 cases. This pathway is popular among entrepreneurs building companies in emerging industries, clean technology, healthcare innovation, and other sectors that benefit the US economy. You do not need a job offer or employer sponsor to file.

EB-1C Multinational Manager

The EB-1C category is designed for multinational executives and managers transferring to a US company. Unlike the other permanent pathways, EB-1C requires employer sponsorship from a qualifying US entity that has a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate relationship with a foreign company.

Most EB-1C applicants first hold L-1A status while establishing and managing the US company. After demonstrating the business can support an executive or managerial role, they transition to permanent residence through EB-1C. No labor certification is required, and processing times are typically faster than EB-2 or EB-3 categories that require PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) labor certification.

Knowing the requirements is only part of the equation. You also need to know what each pathway costs.

How much does an entrepreneur visa cost?

Entrepreneur visa costs vary widely depending on the pathway you choose. Filing fees are government costs paid to USCIS or the Department of State for processing your application. Investment capital is separate: this is money you invest in your business, which remains at risk but is potentially recoverable if the business succeeds.

These figures reflect government filing fees only. Attorney and legal service fees are separate and can add significantly to the total cost, typically $3,000–$8,000 for nonimmigrant petitions and $10,000–$30,000 or more for complex immigrant visa cases such as EB-5 or EB-1A. Always obtain a full cost estimate from your legal representative before proceeding.

*The Public Law 114-113 fee ($4,000 H-1B / $4,500 L-1) applies to petitioners with 50+ U.S. employees where more than half hold H-1B or L-1 status. See the USCIS Fee Schedule (G-1055).

Important clarifications on costs:

The investment amounts listed for E-2 and EB-5 are not fees you pay to the government. This capital goes into your US business and remains your qualifying investment as long as it stays at risk in the enterprise. The filing fees are the government processing costs.

Naturalization (the process of becoming a US citizen after holding a green card) costs $760 in filing fees, not $10,000 as some sources incorrectly suggest. US citizenship requires you to first become a permanent resident and maintain that status for three to five years before you can apply.

No nonimmigrant or employment-based entrepreneur pathway requires $100,000 in filing fees. The Gold Card's $1–2 million donation is a separate, discretionary program governed by its own rules.

Current USCIS fee schedules should be verified before filing, as fees change periodically. Processing times for each pathway also vary by visa interview location and USCIS workload.

Choosing the right pathway

There is no single best visa for entrepreneurs. The right choice depends on your specific situation, including your nationality, available capital, existing business, and professional achievements. The following decision framework can help you identify which pathways match your profile.

• If you have treaty country nationality and capital to invest: The E-2 visa provides the most straightforward path to operating a US business. You can start immediately and renew indefinitely, though you should have a plan for eventual permanent residence if that is your long-term goal. Consider E-2 to green card transition options.
• If you have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in your field: The O-1A visa requires no investment and provides a direct path to EB-1A permanent residence. This is often the best option for founders with strong publication records, awards, media coverage, or documented industry impact.
• If you already operate a foreign company: The L-1A allows you to transfer to a US entity and leads directly to EB-1C permanent residence. This pathway works well for entrepreneurs expanding existing international operations.
• If you have a VC-backed startup with substantial funding: The International Entrepreneur Rule provides up to five years of parole to build your company, though it does not directly lead to a green card.
• If you have $800,000 to $1,050,000 to invest: The EB-5 provides the most direct path to permanent residence for investor applicants, with no requirement for extraordinary ability or existing business operations.
• If you have an advanced degree and work that benefits the national interest: The EB-2 NIW allows self-petitioning without employer sponsorship or labor certification.

The most common head-to-head is the E-2 visa vs. O-1A decision: the E-2 rewards capital and treaty nationality, while the O-1A rewards documented achievement with no investment required. For entrepreneurs exploring other options beyond traditional H-1B sponsorship, these pathways provide alternative routes to US immigration that don't depend on a third-party employer.

Once you've identified the right pathway, working with experienced support can help ensure your visa application meets all requirements.

Getting support for your entrepreneur visa

Entrepreneur visa pathways require coordination across multiple government agencies, including USCIS, the Department of State, and sometimes the Department of Labor. Documentation must demonstrate investment legitimacy, business viability, and your qualifying role in the enterprise. Missteps can result in denials, requests for evidence that delay processing times, or wasted investment funds.

Lighthouse helps foreign entrepreneurs navigate these immigration pathways through eligibility diagnostics that identify the correct pathway based on your nationality, capital, and professional background. Our team provides documentation guidance and compliance review for investment evidence, business plans, and supporting materials, along with legal review and petition preparation to strengthen your case. We use technology-driven case management to coordinate filings, deadlines, and dependent applications for your family members.

Start your entrepreneur visa evaluation today. Take the eligibility quiz to see where you stand, and when you're ready to talk through your options, request a consult with our team.

Frequently asked questions

What is the entrepreneur visa?

The “entrepreneur visa” is not a single U.S. visa, but a set of pathways that allow foreign founders and investors to build or run businesses in the United States. Key options include the E-2 visa for treaty investors, O-1A for founders with extraordinary ability, L-1A for intracompany transfers, the International Entrepreneur Rule for well-funded startups, the EB-5 visa for investors pursuing permanent residency through significant capital investment, and the newer Gold Card program for large individual donations.

Does it cost $10,000 to become a US citizen?

No. The USCIS filing fee for naturalization (Form N-400) is $760. Citizenship is a separate process from a visa and generally requires 3–5 years of green card status first. While total immigration costs vary by pathway, the naturalization fee itself is far below $10,000.

Is an O-1 visa difficult to get?

The O-1A requires proving extraordinary ability through specific USCIS criteria, meeting at least three of eight categories such as awards, publications, original contributions, high salary, or judging others’ work. While competitive, it has no annual cap, no lottery, and no investment requirement. Founders with strong achievements, media coverage, or industry recognition often qualify.

How much does the entrepreneur visa cost?

Costs vary by pathway. E-2 consular filing is $315. O-1A and L-1A petitions filed on Form I-129 are $1,055 for standard employers or $530 for small employers/nonprofits, plus a separate $600/$300/$0 Asylum Program Fee. EB-5 requires $800,000–$1,050,000 in investment plus $3,675 in filing fees (Form I-526E). Premium processing, where available, is $2,965 as of March 1, 2026. The Gold Card requires a $1 million individual (or $2 million corporate) donation, a distinct qualifying contribution separate from standard filing fees. Investment and donation amounts are separate from government processing fees.

Can I get a green card if I have $1 million dollars?

Through EB-5, you'd need $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in a targeted employment area) invested in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs, offering a direct path to permanent residency for the investor, spouse, and unmarried children under 21, with funds remaining at risk during the conditional residency period. A flat $1 million can also qualify you for the Gold Card's expedited immigrant-visa donation, a different program with its own eligibility process.

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

No entrepreneur-visa pathway on this page requires a $100,000 filing fee; that figure refers to a separate proclamation-based fee that has applied at times to certain H-1B petitions filed from outside the U.S. It has no bearing on E-2, O-1A, L-1A, EB-5, or Gold Card costs. Standard H-1B government costs for a covered employer now include the current $1,055/$530 I-129 fee, the $600/$300/$0 Asylum Program Fee, and, for larger employers, the $4,000 H-1B / $4,500 L-1 Public Law 114-113 fee.