The E-2 visa lets entrepreneurs from Canada, the UK, and about 75 other treaty countries qualify by making a substantial U.S. investment, owning at least 50% of the business, and hiring Americans. Citizens of India, China, and Russia are ineligible unless they hold dual citizenship with a treaty country.

Unlike many work visas, the E-2 and EB-5 investor visas require foreign entrepreneurs to put capital into U.S. businesses and create jobs for American workers. Here is how each pathway works.

Engaging in these 10 activities on a B-1 or B-2 visa or ESTA can lead to denial of entry, removal, visa revocation, and/or future ineligibility for U.S. visas. Remote work for a foreign employer is the trickiest.

The L-1 visa lets multinational employees transfer from an overseas office to a U.S. branch, parent, affiliate, or even a new office. Here is how the L-1A and L-1B work, who qualifies, and how long they last.

You may be eligible for an EB-1 visa and U.S. permanent residency without a job offer if you have extraordinary ability. You need a one-time major achievement or at least 3 of these 10 criteria.

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW) does not require a job offer and grants you permanent residency in the United States. Here are its 4 requirements.

The O-1B visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. Without a major award, you need at least 3 of these 6 forms of evidence.

You may be eligible for an O-1A visa if you have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, athletics, or business. You must either prove a major award or satisfy at least 3 of these 8 criteria.

The E-2 visa is a great investor visa, but not every foreign entrepreneur can or should apply for it. Two preliminary questions: Are you from an E-2 treaty country, and how long is your initial E-2 visa likely to be valid?

The E-1 treaty trader visa lets you enter the United States to engage in international trade on your own behalf. Here are its 3 requirements: treaty-country nationality, substantial trade, and principal trade.