Starting a Company in the USA

The USA, the land of opportunity, is an outstanding place to start a business, and not just because of its infrastructure: the huge, diverse American market is a real draw for European entrepreneurs too. Depending on the legal form you choose, the red tape is quickly dealt with. A sole proprietorship can be up and running in no time, while partnerships are a little more involved. Whatever kind of company you set up, you should work with a qualified attorney who knows the laws, which can vary from state to state, and can advise you along the way. Besides the key documents for opening a business, you also need to think about visa requirements. In visa matters, too, it pays to get help from an attorney. For entrepreneurs who want to start a small business in the USA, for example, the visa rules are of course different from those for an ordinary tourist or employee. To get an E-2 visa approved, the visa designed for small businesses, a minimum investment of $35,000 can already be enough (depending on your industry and what it takes to start operating in the USA). That makes this route very attractive to many entrepreneurs. Once all the steps to launch the business are complete, it usually takes about 2 months for your documents to be reviewed. You are then invited to an interview and the visa is issued. A visa of this kind is valid for 2 to 5 years (depending on the investment) and can then be renewed indefinitely at any time.

It is always a good idea to start with a visitor visa, which is initially valid for 6 months. The clear advantage: as a newly minted American by choice, you can skip further steps for now and take your time finding suitable premises and the right staff. You can open your business during these first 6 months too, so you can test whether the new company delivers the results you want before deciding, at the end of the first six months, on a further 2-year stay in the States.