We get it—moving to a new country is a big deal. It’s exciting, but it can seem like a distant dream. With a San Jose business green card lawyer, you can make your dream a reality.
Moving to the United States is about more than just changing your address. It’s about new opportunities, career growth, and building a better future for yourself and your loved ones.
If you’re looking to live and work in the U.S. permanently, a business green card could be the perfect solution.
Unlike temporary work visas, a business green card offers stability, freedom, and a clear path to U.S. citizenship. And the best part? You won’t need to keep renewing your visa or worry about restrictions on where you can work or what you can do.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a skilled worker, or an investor, obtaining a business green card can open doors to new opportunities in the United States. Since 1978, we’ve been helping individuals like you navigate the complex U.S. immigration system with a compassionate, personalized, and results-driven approach.
Dreaming of a life in the United States but not sure how to get started? Contact Naya Law Group, PC, to find out if you can achieve your dream through a business green card. Call 650-499-5187 or fill out this contact form to schedule a consultation.
Overview of Business Green Cards
A business green card is a type of U.S. immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the United States based on their employment, skills, or investment in a U.S. business.
These green cards provide a pathway to U.S. residency for individuals who can contribute to the American economy through their expertise, talents, or financial investments. It’s a win-win for everyone.
To understand how immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy, consider this fact. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrant families paid nearly one in every six tax dollars collected by governments collected at the local, state, and federal levels.
Plus, a green card offers stability—no more worrying about visa renewals or restrictions on where you can work.
Types of Business Green Cards
There are several types of business-based green cards, each tailored to different categories of workers, investors, and professionals.
Here’s an overview of green cards that may grant you permanent legal status in the U.S. if you either possess specific skills or qualifications or have money to open a business or invest in enterprises in the country:
- EB-1: For individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding researchers, and multinational executives.
- EB-2: For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities (includes a National Interest Waiver for those whose work benefits the U.S.).
- EB-3: For skilled workers, professionals with bachelor’s degrees, and certain unskilled workers.
- EB-4: For special categories like religious workers and employees of international organizations.
- EB-5: For investors who invest $800,000–$1,050,000 in U.S. enterprises creating at least 10 jobs (basically, it’s an investment-based green card).
These categories offer pathways for businesses to bring skilled talent to the U.S. and for foreign nationals to establish or invest in enterprises in the country.
Eligibility Requirements
With so many types of business green cards out there, it can be tricky to figure out which one fits your situation. Here’s a quick and simple breakdown of some of the most common business visas and their eligibility requirements:
EB-1 Visa: Priority Workers
The EB-1 is a top-tier green card for people with impressive achievements. You might qualify if you:
- Have extraordinary ability in fields like arts, sciences, business, or sports. You’ll need to show proof of major accomplishments (think awards, published work, etc.).
- Are an outstanding professor or researcher with international recognition and at least three years of experience in teaching or research.
- Work as a multinational executive or manager for a company that has operations both in the U.S. and abroad.
EB-2 Visa: Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
The EB-2 is perfect if you have a higher level of education or special skills. You can apply if:
- You hold an advanced degree (master’s, Ph.D., or a foreign equivalent). Your job must require this level of education.
- You have exceptional ability in your field (arts, sciences, or business) that benefits the U.S. economy, culture, or welfare.
- You qualify for a National Interest Waiver (NIW), meaning your work is so important that it benefits the U.S. as a whole.
EB-3 Visa: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Others
If you have a job offer in the U.S., the EB-3 might be your best bet. It’s for:
- Skilled workers with at least two years of experience or training in their field.
- Professionals who hold at least a bachelor’s degree (or its foreign equivalent).
- Unskilled workers performing tasks that don’t require specialized skills but still need full-time workers.
EB-4 Visa: Special Immigrants
The EB-4 green card is designed for a range of special cases, such as:
- Religious workers (like ministers or religious teachers)
- Certain government employees or those working for international organizations
- Broadcasters, translators, or members of the armed forces
- Some physicians and others in specialized professions
EB-5 Visa: Immigrant Investor Program
For those wondering, “Can you get a green card by opening a business?”—the answer lies in the EB-5 visa. If you’re ready to invest in the U.S., the EB-5 could lead to a green card. To qualify, you need to:
- Invest a minimum of $1,050,000 (or $800,000 in certain high-unemployment or rural areas) in a new U.S. business.
- Create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers through your investment.
Benefits of a Business Green Card
There are countless reasons why getting a business green card might be your best move toward a bright future in the U.S. Here are a few of them:
- Permanent residency: With a business green card, you can live and work in the U.S. permanently. No more worrying about visa renewals or restrictions—once you have your green card, you’re all set!
- Work freedom: You’ll have the flexibility to work for any employer, start your own business, or change jobs without needing additional sponsorship or approval.
- Pathway to citizenship: A green card is your first step toward U.S. citizenship. After holding it for a certain number of years, you can apply to become a U.S. citizen, which comes with even more benefits.
- Family benefits: Your spouse and children under 21 may also be eligible for green cards, allowing your family to stay together and enjoy the same opportunities.
Thinking of obtaining a green card? Our business green card lawyer can help you explore the options that suit your particular situation and guide you step-by-step through the application process.
Application Process
Here’s a quick look at the steps involved when applying for a business green card:
- Determine your eligibility: First, you’ll need to figure out which business green card category fits your situation. This depends on your qualifications, skills, or investment.
- Get a job offer or investment plan: For most green card types, you’ll need either a job offer from a U.S. employer or, in the case of the EB-5, an investment plan that meets the requirements.
- File the necessary paperwork: Your employer (or you, if applying under certain categories like EB-1 or EB-5) will need to file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This step officially kicks off the green card process.
- Wait for approval: Once your petition is filed, it’s time to wait. USCIS will review your application, and you’ll need to go through an interview and provide supporting documents if requested.
- Receive your green card: After approval, you’ll either adjust your status if you’re already in the U.S. or go through consular processing in your home country. Once all steps are complete, you’ll receive your green card.
Applying for a business green card can feel a little too overwhelming, but with the right guidance, it’s manageable. Trust us. Our team of compassionate and results-driven immigration law attorneys at Naya Law Group, PC, can help.
Why Hire a Business Green Card Lawyer?
Obtaining a business green card—or any other type of green card, for that matter—can be quite a challenge that’s filled with complex legalities and the pressure of getting things right.
Between choosing the right green card category, gathering documents to prove your eligibility, and understanding U.S. immigration laws, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where a business green card lawyer can make all the difference.
A lawyer knows the ins and outs of the system, helps you avoid mistakes that can throw a wrench in the process, and guides you every step of the way.
When you hire a lawyer, you’re not just getting someone to fill out paperwork—you’re getting a trusted partner in your immigration journey. With their professional support, you can feel confident knowing that your application is in good hands and has the best chance for success.
At Naya Law Group, PC, we have been working in the field of immigration law for nearly half a century. We don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, we take the time to listen to your unique goals and work closely with you to find the best path forward. Schedule a confidential consultation with our business green card lawyer by calling 650-499-5187 or visiting our contact us page.