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I have a business thats been trading for 10 years. (selling advertising). We do a large proportion of our business 75% + in the US.
In 2006 we established a branch office in the US and hired 4 people. I was granted an L1A in Feb 07 and moved to the US with my family in March 07. Since then we have decided that the costs of employees has outweighed any real benefits from a business perspective.
There still remain significant advantages to me staying in the US and helping to grow my existing business. Not least of which the bulk of our customer base is based there. However the need for additional employees is redundant.
We still have a home in the UK, and employ 7 people in the UK with no intention of changing that situation. I've been advised by an attorney that filing for an E1 treaty trader visa might be a viable solution to staying in the US without the need for additional employees. I would stay with the capacity of overseeing and developing our existing contracts with US clients. Those contracts would be annually in excess of $1M.
I have two questions:
1. Does this sound like a viable option?
2. Is there a way to convert my existing L1 to an E1 or do i have to start the entire process over again?
Thanks in advance for any advice on this.
In 2006 we established a branch office in the US and hired 4 people. I was granted an L1A in Feb 07 and moved to the US with my family in March 07. Since then we have decided that the costs of employees has outweighed any real benefits from a business perspective.
There still remain significant advantages to me staying in the US and helping to grow my existing business. Not least of which the bulk of our customer base is based there. However the need for additional employees is redundant.
We still have a home in the UK, and employ 7 people in the UK with no intention of changing that situation. I've been advised by an attorney that filing for an E1 treaty trader visa might be a viable solution to staying in the US without the need for additional employees. I would stay with the capacity of overseeing and developing our existing contracts with US clients. Those contracts would be annually in excess of $1M.
I have two questions:
1. Does this sound like a viable option?
2. Is there a way to convert my existing L1 to an E1 or do i have to start the entire process over again?
Thanks in advance for any advice on this.
