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Founder & Executive
Visa Services
Determine the best U.S. immigration pathway for your leadership team or startup founders.
Explore strategic U.S. immigration options for entrepreneurs, executives, and global talent, including EB-1C, NIW EB-2, founder H-1B pathways, and direct EB-5.
At Carolyn Lee PLLC, we guide you in navigating your immigration journey, analyzing your goals to provide a tailored roadmap to the best temporary visa or permanent residency (“green card”) solution, including for the founders’ and executives’ family members.
Whether launching a startup or expanding a business, we work closely with you to align your immigration path with your vision.
L-1A to EB-1C to Green Card Pathway
The L-1 intracompany transferee visa allows a U.S. employer to transfer an executive, manager, or specialized employee from an affiliated foreign office to its U.S. office. It also enables foreign companies without a U.S. office to send an executive or manager to establish a new office in the United States. L-1A visa holders may also pursue permanent residency through the EB-1C immigrant visa category.
While the L-1 visa is temporary and does not directly provide permanent residency, it can lead via EB-1C classification to permanent residency for multinational managers without the need to go through the labor certification process as is generally required for employer-sponsored permanent residency. This option benefits professionals and companies expanding into the U.S.
Additionally, this pathway allows EB-1C executives or managers to bring qualifying family members, who can apply for concurrent adjustment of status in certain instances as well as study and work in the U.S. after landing as permanent residents. Schedule a consultation to explore your options.
National Interest Waiver (NIW EB‑2)
Thanks to the landmark case Matter of Dhanasar, entrepreneurs and founders can qualify for U.S. permanent residence without a U.S. job offer, U.S. employer, or labor certification, if their venture has substantial merit and national importance and the applicant is well-positioned to move it forward.
Under the Dhanasar, the flexible standards of the National Interest Waiver (NIW) recognize the value of founders, researchers, and solo innovators, making NIW a powerful path to permanent residence, allowing qualified talent to self-sponsor. Contact us to learn more.
Founder H‑1B
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s new regulation finally allows what savvy founders have sought for years: the ability to self-sponsor an H-1B visa through their own majority-owned startup. We assist founders in meeting strict governance and documentation requirements and help them transition from other visa categories, such as F-1. Contact us to explore your options.
As a dual intent visa, a self-petitioned H-1B provides a pathway to permanent residency for both the H-1B entrepreneur and qualifying family members. This visa allows entrepreneurs to work and develop their own company and is an ideal solution for early-stage, venture-backed startups.
Direct EB‑5 for Founders
Invest in your own business. Founders can obtain U.S. permanent residency by investing a minimum of $800,000 in a qualifying new commercial enterprise in a “targeted employment area,” defined as a rural area or high unemployment area in the U.S. Any type of business can qualify, including, as examples, a franchise, hotel, school, clinic, assisted living facility, or any other business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
After two years of conditional residency, you can apply to remove the conditions on your status and obtain permanent residency for yourself and qualifying family members. Learn more about the EB-5 program here.
Our Engagement Process
Strategic Visa Assessment
Gain clarity, take action, and move forward with confidence. Schedule a consultation to explore solutions that align with your business goals and personal circumstances to thrive in the U.S.
Petition Preparation & Filing
We assist in documenting and filing the petitions while ensuring they meet strict visa eligibility requirements. Our support spans the entire process from petition to visa approval.
Visa Approval and Next Steps
Once a petition is approved, we provide ongoing assistance with status compliance and green card transition, including consular preparation, visa issuance, and lawful entry into the U.S.