Zhang-Louie, PLLC

To start, you will need a business plan writer, a business formations lawyer, and an accountant. We have a team of specialists in these areas that have worked with our clients and led to successful results for their cases. Especially for the business plan writer, you need one that works closely with the immigration lawyer so that we can bring out the aspects of your business that is needed for the officer to approve your case. Through our firm, you would not have to guess whether you have hired the right business professional for your case because these professionals have already had a proven record of success working with us.

Possibly. If you have started a business and are able to show that you have the potential to employ personnel and potential to otherwise contribute to U.S. national interests, you may qualify for the national interest waiver. Without a bachelor’s degree, you would be required to show “exceptional ability” by meeting at least 3 of the listed criteria: - Official academic record showing that you have a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning relating to your area of exceptional ability - Letters documenting at least 10 years of full-time experience in your occupation A license to practice your profession or certification for your profession or occupation - Evidence that you have commanded a salary or other remuneration for services that demonstrates your exceptional ability - Membership in a professional association(s) - Recognition for your achievements and significant contributions to your industry or field by your peers, government entities, professional or business organizations - Other comparable evidence of eligibility is also acceptable. However, these requirements are flexible, especially this last category of “other comparable evidence”. Contact us for a case assessment to see if you qualify.

You need someone to sign the form I-129 as a “petitioner” but it is different from an employer-based sponsorship. For traditionally self-employed or independent contractors, the O-1 visa applicant can show contracts to work with multiple employers or clients to qualify. So the “Petitioner” in this sense is just another client or employer who signs the petition.

Yes, the regulations do not require the employer have a certain number of employees, only that they have gone through the process of recruitment as directed in the regulations and show that they were not able to hire anyone through that process. Our firm has the resources to guide the employer to ensure that they are complying with the regulations every step of the way.

Possibly. Having publications is not the only way to self-petition through EB-1A or EB-2 with national interest waiver. Some other documentation of your qualifications include business plan, record of past accomplishments, success record in the business, support letters providing significant recognition of your accomplishments, interested users in your products or services. Schedule a consultation for a case assessment of available documents that you have to see if you qualify.

This is what our firm specializes in. There may be ways for you to start a business and get a green card. If you are thinking about starting a business, please schedule a consultation to see if your business will qualify. We also provide advise while you are setting up your business to ensure that the right documents are collected along the way.

Go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/treaty.html and see if your country is listed there.

E-2 visas do not require a minimum investment amount. USCIS and Consular officers will use a “substantiality test”. That means we show that you have invested substantially in the business in order for it to succeed. We show this through documentation of how much start-up costs are for the business that you want to start or invest in.