Does this way work to immigrate to the US?

[TylerR 0]

I’m a 22-year-old German citizen majoring in computer science. (Yeah, I know the tech job market in the U.S. is pretty saturated right now.) I also co-run a small B2B tech startup. Our annual recurring revenue is about $120k after two years in operation. For now, the company will likely stay focused on Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

 

From what I understand, my main options for immigrating to the U.S. are through marriage, education, work, or investment.

It’s super important to me that whatever visa I pursue eventually leads to a green card and U.S. citizenship. Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of my biggest life goals.

 

Here are the four options I’ve been considering. I’d love your input on each and whether they seem realistic:

1. Enter the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

2. L-1A Visa: I could open a U.S. branch of my German company and transfer to the U.S. on an L-1A visa. Then, I’d aim to file for an EB-1 visa through the U.S. branch. I’m not sure about the regulations tied to keeping the L-1A visa, though.
Would I need to hire a certain number of Americans? What other requirements are there?

3. Do a Master’s Degree in the U.S.: I could go for a master’s at a U.S. college. 

4. Australia Route + E-3 Visa: I’m also interested in Australia. (Obviously, I love the U.S. a bit more.) Australia’s immigration process is way more straightforward. After living there for a few years, I could become an Australian citizen and qualify for the exclusive E-3 visa. From what I’ve read, it’s like the H-1B but way easier to get. After that, I’d need to find a U.S. company willing to sponsor me.
 

Quick question about option 4: If I became an Australian citizen and entered the DV lottery, I’d still enter using Germany, right? Since I was born there, my chances wouldn’t increase even with Australian citizenship?
 

A couple of notes:

• Even if my company becomes super successful, I’d be fine working a regular job if it helps me get a visa.
• My issue with investment visas is that (afaik) there’s no clear path to a green card or citizenship.
• While I wouldn’t move to Australia just to get into the U.S., I love Australia almost as much as the U.S. That said, I feel the U.S. would offer more opportunities for my future kids compared to Australia.

Edited yesterday at 11:15 AM by TylerR

[TylerR 0]

16 minutes ago, TylerR said:

2. L-1A Visa: I could open a U.S. branch of my German company and transfer to the U.S. on an L-1A visa. Then, I’d aim to file for an EB-1 visa through the U.S. branch. I’m not sure about the regulations tied to keeping the L-1A visa, though.
Would I need to hire a certain number of Americans? What other requirements are there?

Addition:
Of course, I’d need a managerial role within my U.S. branch (which I pretty much already have). If we go this route, we’d most likely set up the U.S. branch as the engineering office.
In other words, the U.S. branch would focus solely on engineering, while the German branch would serve as the sales office.

[Boiler 45,891]

EB5 is an investment visa and results in a Green Card

[TylerR 0]

44 minutes ago, Boiler said:

EB5 is an investment visa and results in a Green Card

Alright, what happens to the visa if the business or the new U.S. branch doesn’t work out within two years, or if I can’t hire Americans for some reason?
 

 

Do you have any thoughts on these two options?:

1 hour ago, TylerR said:

2. L-1A Visa: I could open a U.S. branch of my German company and transfer to the U.S. on an L-1A visa. Then, I’d aim to file for an EB-1 visa through the U.S. branch. I’m not sure about the regulations tied to keeping the L-1A visa, though.
Of course, I’d need a managerial role within my U.S. branch (which I pretty much already have). If we go this route, we’d most likely set up the U.S. branch as the engineering office.
In other words, the U.S. branch would focus solely on engineering, while the German branch would serve as the sales office.
Would I need to hire a certain number of Americans? What other requirements are there?

 

1 hour ago, TylerR said:

4. Australia Route + E-3 Visa: I’m also interested in Australia. (Obviously, I love the U.S. a bit more.) Australia’s immigration process is way more straightforward. After living there for a few years, I could become an Australian citizen and qualify for the exclusive E-3 visa. From what I’ve read, it’s like the H-1B but way easier to get. After that, I’d need to find a U.S. company willing to sponsor me.

 

[Boiler 45,891]

L1 obviously depends on growing the business, E3 does not.

[TylerR 0]

9 minutes ago, Boiler said:

L1 obviously depends on growing the business, E3 does not.

Either way could work, right?

[Boiler 45,891]

Yes

[OldUser 7,230]

The most realistic path in my opinion is getting masters in the US, getting STEM OPT and then getting sponsored by H-1B employer. Then get sponsored for GC.

 

You can play DV lottery in addition.

 

I don't see L-1 etc as a path with revenue of $120K. A fresh IT graduate in the US makes this money in salary.

Edited yesterday at 03:31 PM by OldUser

[TylerR 0]

10 minutes ago, OldUser said:

The most realistic path in my opinion is getting masters in the US, getting STEM OPT and then getting sponsored by H-1B employer. Then get sponsored for GC.

I agree, that'd probably the most straightforward path of getting U.S. education and a U.S. job after graduation. My only problem with this approach is, that of course I don't want to hold hostage as an employee by my employer since he's the only person who can sponsor me my visa. 

 

 

13 minutes ago, OldUser said:

I don't see L-1 etc as a path with revenue of $120K. A fresh IT graduate in the US makes this money in salary.

I totally agree, it's not enough for sure. I'm mostly talking about in the next 2-3 years to take action to maybe open a U.S. branch. We're expecting to see a significant boost in revenue in the next few years, so in about 2-3 years, we could be looking at something like $350k to $500k.

[appleblossom 2,904]

Just now, TylerR said:

I totally agree, it's not enough for sure. I'm mostly talking about in the next 2-3 years to take action to maybe open a U.S. branch. We're expecting to see a significant boost in revenue in the next few years, so in about 2-3 years, we could be looking at something like $350k to $500k.

 

That still may not be enough to sustain physical premises in the US plus USC employees. Perhaps wait a few years then look at going direct to a green card when you’ve built up more specialist skills? 

 

The quickest and easiest way (unless you do get lucky in the DV) would be a ‘normal’ L1 via a multinational company, but that would again mean a few years of working for them first usually. 

 

Also, do factor in that if you do move as self employed, healthcare will be a major cost, so include that in your calculations. Good luck.  

Edited yesterday at 03:55 PM by appleblossom

[OldUser 7,230]

7 minutes ago, TylerR said:

I agree, that'd probably the most straightforward path of getting U.S. education and a U.S. job after graduation. My only problem with this approach is, that of course I don't want to hold hostage as an employee by my employer since he's the only person who can sponsor me my visa. 

 

 

I totally agree, it's not enough for sure. I'm mostly talking about in the next 2-3 years to take action to maybe open a U.S. branch. We're expecting to see a significant boost in revenue in the next few years, so in about 2-3 years, we could be looking at something like $350k to $500k.

Not many are excited to be bound to employer etc with H-1B, but it's a sacrifice taken to secure long term success.

 

With L-1, you'd have to have a substantial business to be taken seriously and convince consular officer you're not just self-sponsoring to get around H-1B cap etc.

[Boiler 45,891]

H1b is a lottery and you are up against most of India

[OldUser 7,230]

17 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 The quickest and easiest way (unless you do get lucky in the DV) would be a ‘normal’ L1 via a multinational company, but that would again mean a few years of working for them first usually. 

Agreed, there is no quick, easy and cheap route to immigrate to the US.

 

Most employment based visas will require some sacrifices, whether it's financials or time.

 

Realistically, unless going through marriage, becoming a LPR takes 5-10 years. Even with marriage it has its own challenges such as consular processing which takes 2 - 3 years in total while being separated from your spouse for some time.

 

8 minutes ago, Boiler said:

H1b is a lottery and you are up against most of India

True, but with masters in the pocket there is a bit of advantage. Again, if OP is really brilliant there's always a tiny chance an employer can sponsor for GC directly. Or at least for E2, which is not a long term and not for immigrating, but can be renewed indefinifely.

Edited yesterday at 04:11 PM by OldUser

[appleblossom 2,904]

Just now, OldUser said:

Again, if OP is really brilliant there's always a tiny chance an employer can sponsor for GC directly. 

 

Doesn’t even need brilliance, just needs a patient employer willing to pay and wait if it’s a category like EB3 - but of course, most employers won’t do that for a less specialist job. Or the OP can self sponsor if eligible via EB1A or EB2 NIW, if s/he qualifies with more experience under his/her belt, but again that’s further down the line.

 

As you say, patience is key with US immigration, if the OP really wants it (got to say, an odd choice IMO for most of working age without US family ties - given the healthcare costs, lack of vacation time, work/life balance etc!) then it’s definitely something to look at as a long term plan.