From Pitching in Silicon Valley to Running a U.S. Business: A Real Founder Story
At Visa Immigration Pro, we work with ambitious founders around the globe. One of our clients—let’s call him Daniel—entered the U.S. on a B-1 visa to explore funding options. Within a year, he transitioned to an L-1A visa, allowing him to legally run his new U.S. office and eventually pursue a green card.
Background: Entering on a B-1 Visa
Daniel had an established logistics tech company in Kenya and wanted to enter the U.S. market. He used a B-1 visa to:
- Meet investors
- Attend a global accelerator
- Explore incorporation in Delaware
The B-1 visa was perfect for short-term exploration, but it had strict limits—no direct work or salary in the U.S.
Transition to an L-1A Visa
After successfully raising a seed round and hiring a U.S. team, Daniel was ready to open a U.S. branch of his Kenyan company. We helped him file for an L-1A new office petition.
Here’s what we did:
- Documented the 1-year management experience at the foreign entity
- Established a U.S. subsidiary with proper ownership structure
- Submitted a robust business plan and job creation strategy
- Secured L-1A approval for 1 year, renewable up to 7 years
Results
- Daniel legally began operating from the U.S.
- He hired a U.S. team and expanded sales
- Now preparing to file for a green card via EB-1C
Want to Follow a Similar Path?
If you’re a founder currently on a B-1 visa, talk to us about how to change status to L-1 the right way.
📩 Email us at [email protected] or book a consult now.
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