Emigrate To The USA

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

The USA was fashioned from an incredibly disparate population who, with little in common apart from a desire to choose their own paths to wealth or heaven, rallied around the ennobling ideals of the Declaration of Independence to forge the richest, most inventive and most powerful country on earth.

• E-2 visa for traders/investors
• L-1 visa for intra-company transferees
• K visas for Fiancés
• I-130 family based application
• Spouses
• Parents & siblings

E-2 visa for traders/investors

The E-2 classification is authorised for a national of a country with which the United States has a commercial treaty, i.e. the UK, who is coming to the United States solely to direct and develop the operations of an enterprise in which he or she has invested, or is actively involved in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital. This visa is extremely popular with UK nationals who seek a route into the US based upon their accumulated wealth and willingness to be in business for themselves rather than be employed. The business to be invested in within the US can be a start-up operation or a 50% share of an existing/established trading company. It is extremely rare for an E-2 visa holder to progress to a Green Card. Four Corners not only manages the visa application process but also provides guidance and help in assembling a Business Plan tailored for the US business venture.

L-1 visa for intra-company transferees

This is a common visa used for employees transferring to a US subsidiary, parent, branch or affiliate company of their current employer. The L-1 category allows the transfer of key employees to the U.S. from affiliated companies abroad for temporary periods. To qualify, the applicant must be working in a capacity as a manager, executive or in a position that requires specialised knowledge. The employee must have at least one year of experience with the organisation at an executive/managerial level or in a technical/specialist job. This experience must be gained outside of the US.

The L-1 category can also be an option for employees being sent to the US to establish a subsidiary, parent, branch or affiliate company in the US. As such, this visa is often used as the basis for a UK company owner to establish a US subsidiary and for the owner (or a senior executive/technical specialist) to relocate to the US. Unlike the E-2 visa, the L-1 can lead to a Green Card. Four Corners not only manages the visa application process but also provides guidance and help in assembling a Business Plan tailored for the US business venture.

K visas for Fiancés

Fiancés wishing to visit or live with their respective partners will need a K-1 visa that enables them to receive the proper authorisation to remain in the United States based on their social status. K-1 visas are usually complex and time-consuming, involving the same procedures as that of a Spousal petition.

There are two basic steps to getting a K-1 visa. The first stage is 'sponsorship' from the US citizen, while the second stage involves the 'foreign applicant' formally applying for a K-1 visa stamp at their home country's US consulate.

I-130 family based applications

Close family members who are US citizens can be a route to a Green Card, although certain family relationships are more advantageous than others. It is possible for an applicant to have more than one Green Card option available due to multiple family relationships.

Spouses

A person who marries a US citizen can obtain a Green Card provided the marriage was entered into within 2 years. The person will receive "conditional permanent residence" for a period of 2 years, after which the 'integrity' of the marriage is reviewed by the US immigration authorities.

Parents & siblings

Permanent residency can also be obtained for parents and siblings of US citizens. To apply under either relationship involves a multi-stage process that ends with visa processing at the local US consulate or embassy.