How to Prove Your Business Visa Investment Will Create Jobs in the United States

The purpose of business immigration visas to the United States — including the E-2, L-1, EB-5 and others — is to promote the general welfare of US residents by supporting economic growth and the jobs that come with it. 

The business plans that are required as part of the visa application process are supposed to illustrate, among other things, that the business will succeed to the point where it needs to expand and hire more US residents. This is an absolutely crucial point since creating employment opportunities is the entire purpose of the visa program.

That means your business plan should put an emphasis on job creation and expansion of staff. 

What’s the best way to do this? Be sure to include the following items and documents in your application, putting the spotlight on your hiring plans and enhancing your business visa application in the process. 

A professional business plan 

A business plan is the best way to quickly but comprehensively demonstrate the potential of your business and the growth that can be expected from it. From there, it’s a short step to talking about the number of people you will need to hire in order to keep that growth going to push your business to the next stage in its development. 

A good business plan serves as a roadmap that shows the path from investment to investment to job creation. Key elements of the plan include a market analysis, financial projections, and specific strategies for growth and employment. 

1. Hiring timelines 

Hiring timelines specify when new positions will be created along with their responsibilities. A carefully constructed set of timelines for your business shows how continued growth is dependent upon adding to the staff at certain points. 

There are no specified minimums for job creation for most US business immigration visas so there’s no need to force unrealistic expectations into your plans. Just as with your business plan, it’s more important to use reasonable forecasts for hiring needs that show your business will grow at a pace that is consistent with normal industry standards. 

2. Proof of funding

What about the resources you’ll need to pay employee wages? Showing that you have these funds secured shows that you’re ready for the hiring process. 

How do you show proof of funding? Bank statements, asset documentation or evidence fund transfers should be enough to show that you have access to the money needed to finance the expansion of your staff. 

3. Job descriptions

Detailed job descriptions for the various positions you need to fill in a new business show how the venture depends on the addition of these employees. Give each position roles and responsibilities and specify what qualifications are required for them. 

It only makes sense that if you plan on hiring staff for key managerial positions or for support staff, you have thought about how they will contribute to the growth and success of the company. Have these job descriptions ready and prepared to illustrate your intentions to hire staff when the time comes. 

4. Payroll records

Your plans for a new business in the US may be an extension of an existing operation elsewhere. If this is the case, payroll records for your current business can help to show your readiness to assemble another team in the United States. 

Providing documentation like this also shows that you are familiar with the administrative side of hiring and understand how the addition of more employees helps your business to grow. 

5. Other supporting documentation

Various forms of documentation from third parties can help to support the credibility of your plans to start a business in the United States that will require the hiring of multiple staff members, including: 

• Legal and professional consultations. Engage with immigration attorneys or consultants who specialize in business immigration to ensure that your documentation meets all legal requirements. Documentation from these meetings shows your intentions to follow through with your plans, including hiring and staffing. 
• Letters on intent or contracts. If your business has secured contracts or letters of intent that demonstrate a demand for your products or services, these can support the likelihood of job creation.
• Community impact statements. Sometimes, statements from local government or business leaders about the positive impact of your investment on the local community can be persuasive. They also show your commitment to the project, including hiring goals. 

It’s important to provide clear, well-documented, and verifiable information to support your claims. Immigration authorities will carefully scrutinize the evidence to ensure that the investment behind your business visa application meets the job creation requirements of the visa program.

To learn more about these business immigration visa programs, visit us at Joorney.