You may be able to change from a B-2 tourist visa to E-2 status without leaving the U.S., but that status ends the moment you travel abroad. Here is why applying for an actual E-2 visa at a U.S. consulate is almost always the smarter move.

The L-1 visa lets an established company abroad transfer an executive, manager, or specialized-knowledge employee to a related U.S. company. Here are its three basic requirements.

The E-2 visa process almost always takes more than three months and typically at least six, so it pays to start early. Here are the seven steps, from confirming your treaty-country eligibility to making a “substantial investment” and submitting your application.

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.