FOUNDER RELOCATION

You need to be in the U.S. to build a U.S. company. Choose the right visa.

Visa sponsorship is complex and time-intensive. We help you choose the right visa category for your situation, navigate USCIS timelines, and get your founder (and key employees) lawfully in the U.S. to build your company.

THE PROBLEM

Four Visa Paths, and Most Founders Choose Wrong

Wrong visa category. You apply for H-1B (generic specialty occupation, 6+ months, lottery-based) when you should apply for O-1 (extraordinary ability, 2-4 months, non-capped). Or you try to work on a tourist visa (illegal, deportable). Or you apply for L-1 without realizing you need 1 year of prior parent company employment (you've only been running the company 3 months).

Timeline blindness. You think you can get an H-1B in 3 months. It actually takes 6-8 months. You're hiring engineers but can't bring them into the country on time.

Visa expiration without a plan. Your E-2 expires in 2 years. You don't have a plan for renewal, transition to green card, or next visa. You're suddenly out of status.

Cost and complexity. Immigration lawyers are expensive (€5K-15K per visa). You think you can DIY. You make a mistake. USCIS denies your application. You lose 6 months and thousands of euros.

40% of non-U.S. founder visa applications are denied or delayed from wrong category selection

Working on ESTA/tourist visa is illegal and results in deportation + 3-10 year ban

H-1B timeline is 6-9 months (not 3 months), must file March-April for October start

L-1 requires 1 year of prior parent company employment before qualifying

WHAT WE COVER

Visa Category Selection and Strategic Immigration Planning

O-1 (Extraordinary Ability). For founders with track record: published work, awards, media coverage, large following, notable achievements. Timeline: 2-4 months. Cost: €3K-6K. Duration: 3 years, renewable indefinitely. Non-capped, no lottery. Requirements: proof of extraordinary ability in your field.

E-2 (Investor Visa). For founders investing in their own U.S. company. Timeline: 2-4 weeks (USCIS) or 4-8 weeks (consular). Cost: €2K-4K. Duration: 2 years, renewable. Available to German, Austrian, Swiss citizens (E-2 treaty countries). Requirements: €50K+ investment (typical, no legal minimum), 50%+ ownership.

L-1 (Intracompany Transfer). For established founders with a European parent company. Timeline: 1-3 months. Cost: €2K-4K. Duration: 3 years, renewable up to 7 years total. Requirements: 1 year prior employment at parent company, managerial or specialized knowledge role, parent and U.S. subsidiary relationship.

H-1B (Specialty Occupation). For hiring employees with bachelor's degrees in specialty fields. Timeline: 6+ months (capped, lottery). Cost: €5K-10K. Duration: 3 years, renewable up to 6 years. Requirements: job posting, prevailing wage, no available U.S. worker, bachelor's degree. Note: 2025 adds €100K/month fee for certain companies.

Founder relocation planning. Personal logistics (housing, family, schools), visa coordination (timeline, documents), tax planning (U.S. residency implications, transfer pricing with European parent).

O-1: 2-4 months, €3K-6K, non-capped, for accomplished founders

E-2: 2-8 weeks, €2K-4K, requires investment, fastest for most DACH founders

L-1: 1-3 months, €2K-4K, requires parent company employment history

H-1B: 6+ months, €5K-10K, capped, lottery, for employees

Family visa coordination (E-2 family can join, H-1B families have work restrictions)

BEFORE VS AFTER

From Unsure to Legally Compliant

Before: No visa plan, working on ESTA (illegal), or on wrong visa category with slow timeline. You're out of status or waiting 9 months for visa approval.

After: Right visa category chosen with strategy. Timeline is optimized (2 weeks to 3 months depending on category). You're legal, compliant, and can work and hire.

Before: Tourist visa (illegal to work) → After: Legal work visa (O-1, E-2, L-1)

Before: H-1B chosen, 9-month timeline → After: E-2 chosen, 4-week timeline

Before: No relocation plan → After: Housing, family, taxes planned

Before: No immigration attorney → After: Professional counsel engaged

WHY IT MATTERS

The Operational and Legal Impact of Proper Visa Strategy

6-Month Acceleration (vs. H-1B)

E-2 visa is 4-8 weeks vs. H-1B's 6-9 months. That's 5-6 months faster founder entry to U.S. Costs: €2K-4K instead of €5K-10K. Clear win for most DACH founders.

Legal Compliance

Right visa eliminates deportation risk (€0 cost) and legal status uncertainty. You can negotiate, hire, and operate with full authority. Working illegally: €0 upfront, €∞ risk.

Scalable Hiring

Once you're legally in U.S., you can sponsor H-1B employees for specialty roles. Or hire U.S. citizens (faster, no sponsorship needed). Your visa determines your hiring optionality.

Family Relocation

Some visas allow family to join (E-2, L-1). Others have restrictions (H-1B). Plan visa category around family needs. Cost of wrong choice: family separation or additional visa fees.

HOW IT WORKS

From Assessment to Legal Entry in 2-9 Months

Assessment & Strategy (Weeks 1-3)

We assess your profile (background, company stage, investment, family). We analyze visa categories you qualify for. We recommend optimal category with pros/cons and timeline.

Evidence Gathering (Weeks 4-12)

For O-1: gather publications, press, awards, recommendation letters. For E-2: prepare business plan, transfer capital to company bank, document investment. For L-1: document parent company employment. For H-1B: prepare job posting and prevailing wage.

Attorney & Filing (Weeks 13-16)

Engage immigration attorney. Review documentation. Prepare and file visa petition with USCIS or consular office. Receive receipt notice and track case.

Approval & Relocation (Weeks 16+)

USCIS approves petition. Visa interview at U.S. embassy (if consular filing). Visa stamped. Schedule relocation. Enter U.S. legally and begin operations.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Visa Strategy FAQ

Which visa should I choose?

Decision tree: (1) Published work, awards, media presence? → O-1. (2) Investing substantially in company? → E-2. (3) Established European company with 1+ year employment? → L-1. (4) None of above? → H-1B. For most DACH founders: E-2 is fastest and most practical.

Can I work on ESTA?

No. ESTA is for tourism only. Working on ESTA is illegal. If caught (by customs, employer verification), you're deported and banned from U.S. for 3-10 years. Don't do this. Get the right visa first.

How much do I need to invest for E-2?

No legal minimum, but USCIS expects investment proportional to company. Guidelines: €50K-100K for early-stage, €100K-250K for Series A, €250K+ for Series B. Consult immigration attorney on sufficiency for your situation.

Can I transition from E-2 to a green card?

E-2 doesn't lead directly to green card. You can later apply for EB-5 investor green card (€1M investment, €500K in disadvantaged areas) or employment-based green card (takes years). Plan E-2 as 2-4 year visa, plan for longer-term status separately.

How long does H-1B sponsorship take?

H-1B timeline: Job posting 4-6 weeks, prevailing wage 2-4 weeks, Form I-129 filed March-April (annual window), lottery April, USCIS processing 2-4 months. Total: 6-9 months. Plan H-1B 9+ months in advance, not when you need someone tomorrow.

Can I bring my family on my visa?

Depends on visa. E-2 and L-1: family can join on derivative status (E-2, L-2). H-1B: spouse and children can join on H-4 (but spouse work restrictions). O-1: O-3 status for family. Plan visa type around family needs. Some are family-friendly, others are not.

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