My firm is a transport and solid waste management service provider in Pakistan. I want to establish a trucking business in San Francisco and open a bank account so I can transfer funds. I have an valid B1/B2 visa right now. I do not have a office or anything in the U.S. I might use this business for EB-5 in the future. Can I register businesses as a visitor visa holder?
Answers
Bernard P Wolfsdorf
Immigration attorneysYes, you can set up a business while in the U.S. on a business visitor visa but you can not work in that business unless you have a work visa.
Fredrick W Voigtmann
Immigration attorneysEstablishing a business and opening a bank account is allowed under the business visitor category. Working or providing services to that company in the United States is not allowed under the business visitor category and would require work authorization.
Dale Schwartz
Immigration attorneysAnyone can own most types of businesses in the USA. But you cannot be employed by your company until you get a different type of visa. We have helped many clients from Pakistan change to an E-2 Treaty Investor visa.
Belma Demirovic Chinchoy
Immigration attorneysYes, you can establish a business in the U.S. without a work-authorized visa.
Ying Lu
Immigration attorneysYes, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to register a company.
Lynne Feldman
Immigration attorneysYes. I suggest setting up a legal entity, applying for an FEIN and then can establish a bank account, enter into a lease in the company name, etc.
Stephen Berman
Immigration attorneysYou can register a company. But you cannot conduct any business in the U.S. on a visitor visa.
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