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Immigration hub

We assist multinational companies, start-ups & entrepreneurs in their global mobility. Columbus has an extensive scope of services from immigration to business packages to cover all business needs of foreign companies and entrepreneurs who are looking to make a successful, quick and easy entry into the U.S. market.

Visas

Immigration Services

Please see see below our offering of immigration services in conjunction with its network of highly experienced professional partners,
knowledgeable immigration Attorneys and experts, dedicated to adding value to the success of your business.

The hub has a strong focus on investors’ visas (E), O1-extraordinary ability
as well as Green Card processes (EB1-extraordinary ability, NIW, and Perm based green cards).

Non-Immigrant - NON-WORKING Visas

Visa Waiver Program
(ESTA)
Read More
Temporary Visitors
(B-1 Visa)
Read More

Non-Immigrant - EMPLOYMENT BASED Visas

Specialty Occupation
(H1-B Visa)
Read More
Company Transfers
‍(L Visa)
Read More
Extraordinary Ability
(O Visas)
Read More
Treaty Trader
(E Visas)
Read More

Immigrant Visas

Green Card

Read More

ESTA

Visa Waiver Program

Overview

You need to apply for obtening an electronic travel authorization. ESTA: Electronic System for Travel Authorization

The program allows international travelers from certain countries (including France) to travel to the U.S. for leisure or business purposes with no visa, for a period of 90 days or less.

When you travel, you will need:

  • A valid biometric passport, good for at least 6 months past the date of entry
  • A return plane ticket

B-1 Visa

Temporary Business Visitors

Overview:

  • Multiple visits for business purposes
  • Temporary business mission up to 6 months (with the possibility to extend it in the U.S.)

It allows you to:

  • Do some business prospection
  • Create a company/subsidiary
  • Negotiate contracts
  • Participate in business meetings with clients and partners
  • Recruit and hire employees

It doesn't allow you to:

  • Work
  • Earn any income from a company in the United States

H1-B Visa

Employment based - Specialty occupation

Overview

  • The proposed employment must be a specialty occupation
  • All foreign nationals must be employed for a temporary job in the U.S.

Period of stay

  • Granted for 3 years, possibility to extend in 3-year increments, for a total duration of 6 years

Important note

  • The spouse is not eligible to work in the US

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be sponsored by a US-based company and employed in a specialty occupation
  • The employer must pay its H1B worker at least the required prevailing wage
  • The applicant must have at least the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree
  • Be part of the annual quota restrictions which starts on April 1st of each year
  • If the visa is approved, the employment start date would be October 1st or later

L Visas

Employment based - Intra-company transfer

Overview

  • L1-A: Intra-company transferee for executive or manager
  • L1-B: Intra-Company Transferee for specialized knowledge employee

Period of stay

  • One year for a newly created company (possibility to extend)
  • Three years (renewable) for an existing US entity (more than one year)
  • Total duration: 7 years for an L-1A and 5 years for an L-1B

Eligibility

  • The applicant must have worked for the foreign company for at least 1 continuous year within the three years immediately preceding the visa process
  • There must be a qualifying relationship between the foreign company and the US entity (i.e. subsidiary or sister company).

Important note

  • The L-1A status is a short path to a green card
  • The spouse is eligible for a work permit

O Visas

Employment based - Extraordinary Ability

Overview

  • The applicant must possess extraordinary ability in business, arts, sports, sciences…

Period of stay

  • Granted for 3 years, possibility to extend indefinitely in increments of 1 year

Important note

  • the spouse is not eligible to work in the US

Eligibility : The applicant must demonstrate his high level of competence in his field

  • Sustained national or international acclaim
  • Endorsement from peers in the industry
  • Authorship
  • Distinguished prize or award
  • Television interview
  • Quoted in press articles
  • Participation as a jury member or selective membership
  • Continue to work in the US in this area
  • Having an offer of employment from a petitioning employer

E Visas

Employment based - Treaty Trader or Investor

Overview

  • E1: Treaty Trader — Substancial trade between France and the U.S.
  • E2: Treaty Investor — Investment in a U.S. company / subsidiary

E1 Requirements - A substantial trade based on:

  • The number of shipments/transactions
  • Its value in US $
  • At least 50% of the trade must be between the US and the applicant treaty country

E2 Requirements

  • The investment must be substantial (>$100K)
  • ‘Active’ investment that must have a beneficial economic impact in the U.S. (i.e. creating jobs)
  • The Company must be real and operational

Eligibility

  • At least 50% of the company must be owned by nationals of the treaty country (such as France)
  • The applicant must be a national of the majority shareholder’s treaty country
  • The applicant can either be a entrepreneur/investor, an executive, a manager, or a highly skilled employee

Period of stay

  • Granted for 5 years, renewable indefinitely in five-year increments.

Important note

  • The spouse of an E visa holder is eligible for work authorization

Green Card


Overview

  • EB-1 A: Extraordinary ability, self petition, no sponsor
  • EB-1 C upon an L1-A visa; need a sponsor
  • EB-2, EB3: need a sponsor, an offer of employment from a petitioning employer
  • EB-5: Investor

Green Card advantages

  • Possibility to apply for US citizenship after 5 years as a permanent resident
  • The spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age are granted a Green Card.
  • Free to work in any company
Get in touch

Our mobility process

1

Phase 1 - Pre-launch: plan your U.S. project 

This is a consultative phase with specialists to anticipate and plan your project in the US; expose your project, goals and understand in advance what are your best options and strategy in terms of creating a company, visas for you and / or your employees as well as taxation / fiscal matters.

2

Phase 2 - Launch

Once your options have been established and you are ready to start your project and operations in the United States, it is time to move on to the implementation phase of your business with establishing the incorporation of your company and launching the visa procedure as previously determined in phase 1.

3

Phase 3 - Post Launch

This is a follow-up for any matters related to immigration and business operations after obtaining the visas to prepare the arrival of new employees or other visa-related issues.

Our Packages

On-demand business services

We have prepared several packaged offers to guide you along the different phases of your establishment in the United States.

1.  US project feasibility
$
590

3 X 45 minutes consultations to plan your project in the US & define your best options:

  1. Corporate Law (creation of US company)
  2. Immigration : Determine your best visa option
  3. Accounting and international taxation – Expert in your industry/field
Get Started
2. Launching your US business
Contact us for a customized offer
  • Company incorporation :
    Creation in selected States / authorization to do business / operating agreement / certificate of Inc. / Bylaws / EIN number
  • Visa procedures and case management
    Assistance & guidance with process from visa strategy, onboarding to final submission
  • Option for Adds-on : see below our à la carte services.
Get Started
3. Post launch follow-up
$
500
/ 5 hours

Immigration

Consultations on immigration related issues

Business Development

Consultation on business development & marketing matters

Get Started

A la carte with any Business Package:

Market research & study - Market Briefing– Business Plan – Financial forecast – International Tax & accounting
Salary simulator and tax equalization – Assistance with Bank account opening – Intellectual Property
Office lease – Contracts negotiation and drafting – Corporate video and advertising –

All of our packages can be adapted to fit your needs.

Get in touch

Let's make it happen!

Send us a message! Please provide as much details as you can through the following form and we will contact you as soon as possible to set up a consultation.

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