Moving to the USA as an entrepreneur: why, and who it pays off for

There are plenty of reasons to move to the USA: love, a taste for adventure, studies, research, a job offer. Whole libraries have been written on the subject. This page is different: it is written specifically for successful entrepreneurs who are thinking about moving to the USA.

The key word here is successful. This page is not written for entrepreneurs who are just starting out and generating less than 250,000 € a year.

Selling "hacks" is not our philosophy. While researching, I came across a website trying to convince readers "how to get a US visa without a US immigration attorney". That is not how we work, and entrepreneurs drawn to that kind of offer are not who we serve. If you are not willing or able to pay a specialized US attorney 10,000 € to obtain your US visa, this page is not written for you.

That said, this page is not meant for companies that can casually advance a few million out of petty cash either, for whom money is no object when it comes to expanding into the USA.

So this page is aimed specifically at European entrepreneurs who have stayed cost-conscious despite their success. Entrepreneurs who enjoy a certain comfort in life, but don't live like pop stars.

In my experience, these entrepreneurs fall into one of the groups below. If you recognize yourself in one of them, this page is for you. Here we look specifically at the requirements and questions an entrepreneur faces when considering a move to the USA:

1Group A: entrepreneurs who want to live in the USA for purely personal reasons

By far the largest group of entrepreneurs drawn to the USA make the move for purely personal reasons: they love the American way of life, they're up for an adventure, or perhaps their wife is American.

These are the true believers. From a purely economic point of view, the leap across the pond doesn't necessarily make sense, but this isn't a rational decision. Often it's about making a personal dream come true.

That's why, for entrepreneurs in this group, the decision to move is usually final, with no plans to return home.

2Group B: entrepreneurs who see big opportunities for their business in the US market

If you've built a successful business at home and perhaps already sell your goods and services across the EU, you'll often find yourself asking what comes next.

Granted, a building contractor or the owner of a plumbing business won't necessarily think of US expansion as the answer. But if you've developed an innovative product, you will wonder whether it might be more lucrative to market it hard to 340 million Americans rather than 66 million French people.

This group of entrepreneurs isn't necessarily thrilled about moving to the USA, but sees the clear economic advantages. Often the stay in the USA is planned as temporary from the outset.

3Group C: startup founders with American investors

Startups that have raised money from American venture capital firms sometimes have no choice but to move to Silicon Valley, at least temporarily.

Here too, the entrepreneur isn't necessarily keen on living in the USA, but accepts the inconvenience because of the investment. For this group as well, the move to the USA is clearly temporary.

Mount Bonnell Advisors gives you professional support with everything involved in your move to the USA: from ongoing tax support for your US company, registering a branch in another US state and payroll to building a professional website and much more. We look after you competently and reliably, in English.

Find the key terms and facts about US health insurance here.

Where exactly you want to live in America is covered on the page Where in America is the best place to live?. You'll find all other topics in the overview of moving to the USA.

In short

• This page is for successful, cost-conscious entrepreneurs, not for founders just starting out and not for corporations for whom money is no object.
• Group A moves to the USA for personal reasons, usually for good.
• Group B sees big opportunities for their business in the US market and often plans the stay as temporary from the outset.
• Group C are startup founders with American investors, for whom the move is also temporary.

How we help you

• Moving to the USAVisa, bank account, taxes and where to live: your move with Mount Bonnell Advisors.
• Visa RoadmapIn writing: which visa fits you and your family, prepared with the immigration attorney on the firm's team.
• US market entrySubsidiary, staff, taxes: your start in the US market.
• US Company FormationLLC, Inc or LP in Delaware, Florida, California, New York, Texas or Wyoming.
• ConsultationOne hour with the firm: your case, your questions, a clear answer.