If you are intending to move to California as an investor of a new commercial enterprise, there may actually be a specific visa available to you. As what is called an “alien investor”, you might be eligible for an investment visa, which is intended for immigrants employed through start-up businesses.
FindLaw states that 10,000 immigrant visas per year are made available to qualifying investors seeking permanent residency in the country. Due to the fact that there is a limit, you must fit certain criteria in order to be eligible for application.
First, you must be able to demonstrate that you are making a “qualified investment”. The commercial enterprise in which you are investing in also needs to be located in an approved Regional Center. Of course, the primary purpose of these visas is to encourage immigration for the sake of employment in these new start-up businesses. Accordingly, you must also be able to prove that you can create 10 or more jobs directly or indirectly through the revenue from this new business. Potential sources of revenue can include improved regional productivity, exports, job creation, or a pilot plan resulting in domestic capital investment being increased.
Of course, there are other visas that you may be eligible for as well. This is simply one option to consider if you fit the qualifications. If you have any questions about the qualifications for this particular type of visa, or want to look at your other visa options, consider contacting an experienced immigration attorney to learn more.
